Photo credit: mos.ru (CC BY 4.0)
The Candle of Memory campaign kicked off on Tuesday, June 21, the Izvestia newspaper writes. It is dedicated to the Day of Memory and Sorrow, which is celebrated on June 22, the day the Great Patriotic War began. This year marks the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany's attack on the Soviet Union.
By tradition, the main candle of the action is lit in the Yelokhov Cathedral in Moscow. It was there that the first liturgy was held for the victory over the enemy.
Up to 27 million people died during the war. Russians light candles as a symbol of memory for each of them on this day. This year there will be 15 main candles - according to the number of Soviet republics that stood up against the enemy.
On the night of June 22, 1,418 candles will be lit on the Krymskaya Embankment in the Muzeon Park of Arts - the number of days of the war. Before the ceremony, a recording of Yuri Levitan's speech about the beginning of the war will be played. A memorial service for the dead will be held in the Main Church of the Russian Army.
Every resident of Russia can join the campaign. It is enough to light a candle at any time of the day and put it on the windowsill.
An all-Russian minute of silence is scheduled for tomorrow. It will start at 12:15.
According to Irina Yarovaya, Vice Speaker of the State Duma, who heads the campaign's board of trustees, the Candle of Memory unites tens of millions of people, wherever they live. It is joined not only by residents of the post-Soviet space, but also by representatives of European countries and various continents.
Russkiy Mir
