We were able to go and watch the Victory Day Parade on May 9. This is a celebration of the victory over Germany in WWII. It is still a big holiday with many people coming to a parade, but now since very few WWII veterans are still living, it is becoming something like a Memorial Day or Veterans Day in the US.
A hot air ballon with our city's name on it was filled. A Soviet Union flag was later attached to the anchor ropes and raised over the park.
The Statue of Motherland in Park of Glory. The eternal flame is lit for this holiday and many bring flowers and lay them around the flame.
The local communist party was out in force. On the one hand it was the Soviet Union that was victorious but these were not just reminiscing about their victory but also calling for a return to those days. The flags had "Communist Party of Ukraine" imprinted on them.
Heroes and widows bringing flowers to the statue and flame area.
A small band providing the march music as the people passed by the monument.
The local communist party as they march by.
The Party of the Regions (blue flags) that opposes the current president. The next picture includes another rival political party (I don't remember if it is the president's party or the prime minister's party.) 
A hot air ballon with our city's name on it was filled. A Soviet Union flag was later attached to the anchor ropes and raised over the park. The Statue of Motherland in Park of Glory. The eternal flame is lit for this holiday and many bring flowers and lay them around the flame. The local communist party was out in force. On the one hand it was the Soviet Union that was victorious but these were not just reminiscing about their victory but also calling for a return to those days. The flags had "Communist Party of Ukraine" imprinted on them.Heroes and widows bringing flowers to the statue and flame area.A small band providing the march music as the people passed by the monument.The local communist party as they march by.The Party of the Regions (blue flags) that opposes the current president. The next picture includes another rival political party (I don't remember if it is the president's party or the prime minister's party.) After the parade, there were some speeches given including one from the governor and one from the mayor, the children recited some poems and danced, and others just took everything in.
This monument represents those who have died in the Afganistan war of the early 1980s. It is a statue of an kneeling older lady who is holding a Russian Orthodox icon.
This monument represents those who have died in the Afganistan war of the early 1980s. It is a statue of an kneeling older lady who is holding a Russian Orthodox icon.
2 comments:
Thanks for the cultural enlightenment, but we also want to see you! Where are the Thorntons in this video? We do like that you added the video, but we want to see your smiling faces! We miss you!
The Gerkens
Hi, Guys!
Great to hear from you! We will have to take some pictures soon and post them. We are trying to finish up school and get ready for the Iowa Test, so it's a little crazy around here right now. How are you doing?
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