This year on the 9th of May Russian people are celebrating the 68th anniversary of the Victory in World War 2 ( or the Great Patriotic War, as it’s known in Russia). So, on the 2nd of May we had a class excursion (with my 12 year-old students) to the Hero City of Volgograd, that is situated 400 km away from our city Saratov. We travelled by train and spent the whole day in Volgograd visiting different sights.The city of Volgograd is much more known to the foreigners under the name of Stalingrad. It remained in people’s memory as the place of one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles in human history. The battle (against German troops) began on August 23, 1942, and on the same day, the city suffered heavy aerial bombardment. The fighting was of unprecedented intensity: the central railway station of the city changed hands thirteen times, and the Mamayev Kurgan (hill) (one of the highest points of the city) was captured and recaptured eight times. The battle lasted two hundred days and nights. On the 2nd of February 1943 German troops surrendered and the battle was over. More than 1 200 000 Russian people died during the battle. The city was almost totally destroyed. After viewing the ruins of the streets and plant buildings, the ex-ambassador of the USA in Soviet Union Davis said: “This city is dead and you will never revive it.” But, against all expectations, Stalingrad has resurrected itself out of the ashes. This year we’re celebrating the 70th anniversary of the this victory.After the war a memorial on Mamayev Kurgan was built to commemorate the battle. Its most noticeable feature is a giant statue of Mother Russia depicted as Greek goddess Nika with a sword in her hand. The statue embodies the unity of the Russian forces. It is listed as one of Seven Wonders of Russia. Its total height is 87 metres (52 metres is just the statue itself, her sword is 33 metres). In comparison the famous Statue of Liberty in the US is just 46 metres in total..
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What great news! I mean that people in your country also celebrate Victory Day! You're right our grandparents gave their lives for the peace not only of our countries ( former 15 republics) but for the peace in the whole world. The more painful to recognize the fact that people in some countries want to forget about it. History never forgets when people make the same mistakes. I think we all should stay good friends for ever! Thanks for the nice comment, Furugh!
I think you’re right. It’s one of the reasons. You know the statue commemorates the battle in which a lot of Russian people died. They sacrificed their lives to defend children, women, future generations. For Russia World War 2 was the Great Patriotic War. It means not only the army fought against German fascists but all Russian people – women, children, old people.This huge allegorical statue symbolises the unity of all Russian people in case of other invasion. It means that Russian people are peaceful people, we hate war, but we’re always ready to defend our country in case of danger. There’s a quote of famous Russian Prince Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263) : “Those who come to us in peace will be welcome as a guest. But those who come to us sword in hand will die by the sword! On that Russia stands and forever will we stand!”
You can also read my blog about the Great Patriotic War.
You are right Galina. 'Stupendous' means Marvelous, amazingly great or large and huge.
Galina, What's the philosphy behind Mother taking sword. As i understand when ever kids in danger. Mother take sword. Am i correct?
Gabriel, what a colourful and impressive description of the photo! At first I even didn't notice that the photo is so beautiful. I was thinking more about the meaning of the statue. But now I can really see that the colours are amazing; the combination of blue and green is wonderful. Besides the weather was excellent - warm and sunny, so the photo is very light and pleasant to look at. I'm glad that you liked the narration. I tried to make it concise, informative and exciting! Gabriel, of course, you're welcome to Russia. There're numerous places of interest to enjoy here.
Thanks for congratulation on Victory Day! It's a great holiday in Russia, which is very important for every Russian person.
I'm very grateful to you for your nice comment! I'm glad that you're also greately impressed by the statue and the view around it! It's really a unique monument in the world! Thank you!
Big thanks for appreciating my photo. I'm happy you like it. By the way, thanks for the new word 'stupendous'. Its meaning really conveys the size and the meaning of the statue!
I was mesmerized by the sheer size of the statue.The beauty of ‘Mother Russia’ is a great joy to behold! Yes! It’s completely stunning to look at the statue in the centre with a brilliant blue sky above the horizon and the hill down below carpeted with eye-catching mild green. You deserve a round of applause for taking such impressive snapshot. Absolutely a wonderful work of art, my friend! Ahem, will you take me to Mamayev Kurgan when I visit you one day?
Okay, I must thank you for the comprehensive written narration of Russia’s victory in World War II. It was like aboard the time machine and travelled in time to the past. I enjoyed the ride a lot!
Thank you very much for your understanding and support. I completely agree with you about the important meaning of the monument. The statue has always been for me the simbol of unity, victory, bravery and at the same time the symbol of peace. It's the monument to honour people who sacrificed their lives for victory. The statue is very popular in Russia. Every year 4 mln visitors marvel at its huge size. It's the third tallest monument in the world.
I'm very glad that you like the statue. The other name of it is 'Mother Motherland Calls'. It has been one of my favourite statues since my childhood. I have always been greately impressed by its huge size and emotional effect. Thanks for the comment, Tawfeeq!
This is a short video about the Memorial complex "Mamayev Kurgan' (hill):
Comments
Wow! Furugh!
What great news! I mean that people in your country also celebrate Victory Day! You're right our grandparents gave their lives for the peace not only of our countries ( former 15 republics) but for the peace in the whole world. The more painful to recognize the fact that people in some countries want to forget about it. History never forgets when people make the same mistakes. I think we all should stay good friends for ever! Thanks for the nice comment, Furugh!
Hello, Asif!
I think you’re right. It’s one of the reasons. You know the statue commemorates the battle in which a lot of Russian people died. They sacrificed their lives to defend children, women, future generations. For Russia World War 2 was the Great Patriotic War. It means not only the army fought against German fascists but all Russian people – women, children, old people.This huge allegorical statue symbolises the unity of all Russian people in case of other invasion. It means that Russian people are peaceful people, we hate war, but we’re always ready to defend our country in case of danger. There’s a quote of famous Russian Prince Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263) : “Those who come to us in peace will be welcome as a guest. But those who come to us sword in hand will die by the sword! On that Russia stands and forever will we stand!”
You can also read my blog about the Great Patriotic War.
http://my.englishclub.com/profiles/blogs/dream-and-the-world-will-l...
Galina, What's the philosphy behind Mother taking sword. As i understand when ever kids in danger. Mother take sword. Am i correct?
Gabriel, what a colourful and impressive description of the photo! At first I even didn't notice that the photo is so beautiful. I was thinking more about the meaning of the statue. But now I can really see that the colours are amazing; the combination of blue and green is wonderful. Besides the weather was excellent - warm and sunny, so the photo is very light and pleasant to look at. I'm glad that you liked the narration. I tried to make it concise, informative and exciting! Gabriel, of course, you're welcome to Russia. There're numerous places of interest to enjoy here.
Thanks for congratulation on Victory Day! It's a great holiday in Russia, which is very important for every Russian person.
Hello, Pitt!
I'm very grateful to you for your nice comment! I'm glad that you're also greately impressed by the statue and the view around it! It's really a unique monument in the world! Thank you!
Hello, Asif!
Big thanks for appreciating my photo. I'm happy you like it. By the way, thanks for the new word 'stupendous'. Its meaning really conveys the size and the meaning of the statue!
Dear Galina,
I was mesmerized by the sheer size of the statue. The beauty of ‘Mother Russia’ is a great joy to behold! Yes! It’s completely stunning to look at the statue in the centre with a brilliant blue sky above the horizon and the hill down below carpeted with eye-catching mild green. You deserve a round of applause for taking such impressive snapshot. Absolutely a wonderful work of art, my friend! Ahem, will you take me to Mamayev Kurgan when I visit you one day?
Okay, I must thank you for the comprehensive written narration of Russia’s victory in World War II. It was like aboard the time machine and travelled in time to the past. I enjoyed the ride a lot!
Happy 68th Anniversary of Victory Day
to you and all EC members
who are from the Russian Federation!
Peace & Blessings,
~* GS *~
Hello, Hala!
Thank you very much for your understanding and support. I completely agree with you about the important meaning of the monument. The statue has always been for me the simbol of unity, victory, bravery and at the same time the symbol of peace. It's the monument to honour people who sacrificed their lives for victory. The statue is very popular in Russia. Every year 4 mln visitors marvel at its huge size. It's the third tallest monument in the world.
Hello, Tawfeeq!
I'm very glad that you like the statue. The other name of it is 'Mother Motherland Calls'. It has been one of my favourite statues since my childhood. I have always been greately impressed by its huge size and emotional effect. Thanks for the comment, Tawfeeq!
This is a short video about the Memorial complex "Mamayev Kurgan' (hill):
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