Victory Day commemorated at Kazan University
The Great Victory Day is one of the revered holidays in the country.
And today, on the eve of the 79th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, in the courtyard of the main building of Kazan Federal University a solemn rally was held to commemorate this date.
About 400 people took part in the action of remembrance. Among them were war veterans, guests of honor, vice-rectors, directors of institutes, graduates and students of the university (including foreign students), and students of the Preparatory School.
Rector Lenar Safin made a welcoming speech. He reminded the audience that the war years were not an easy time for Kazan University. Only in the first months of the war 750 students and teachers went to the front, the rest worked on the home front, sparing no effort, health and time.
“Kazan University always remains true to itself and honors the sacred traditions, every year paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their homeland,” emphasized the head of the university. “We also express the most sincere words of gratitude to our dear veterans. There is not a single family in Russia not affected by this terrible war, and I hope that we will never forget those who forged this Great Victory.”
The Rector’s words were supported by Valery Telishev, Chairman of the KFU Veterans Council. He noted that the names of 527 war heroes are inscribed on the University’s Glory Alley, and the university continues to work to immortalize the memory of all the heroes. Telishev also said that the 146th division, in which Kazan University faculty and staff fought, received the Order of Suvorov 2nd degree for its participation in the Berlin operation, and the soldiers of the 91st Tank Brigade (15 faculty members) were awarded medals for the capture of Berlin.
The kindest congratulations on the 79th anniversary of the Victory were heard today from a representative the Union of Veterans of the Republic of Tatarstan, retired Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Panaev. He told about the glorious frontline past of his father, and at the end of his speech added that he was sincerely proud of Russia and would forever remember and glorify the feats of its people.
The official solemn part ended with the symbolic launching of 79 snow-white doves into the sky – as a sign of peace, goodness, happiness, love and well-being in the world.
Then the event participants and guests of honor proceeded to the memorial plaque to the faculty, staff and students who gave their lives for the Fatherland, where traditional flower laying took place.