Saratov gets International Memory Watch “Us Millions Panfilov” jointly carried out by Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. SSU Department of International Relations and Russian Foreign Policy Professor V.G. Tsyplin received the standard on March 29 and presented it in the Institute of History and International Relations on March 31. The event gathered the Institute staff and students and community leaders.
Institute of History and International Relations Director T.V. Cherevichko started the presentation telling about the foundation of the Memory Watch campaign as a reaction to reconsidering history and doubting Panfilovs’ heroic act during the Great Patriotic War. She added that Saratov joint the campaign not by coincidence: Major General Ivan Vasilievich Panfilov was born in Petrovsk, Saratov Region.
A.I. Grankov, Head of Department of Cooperation with Veteran and Military-Patriotic Organizations of the regional Committee on Public Relations and National Policy highlighted the fact that 293 USSR heroes came from Saratov; these are the highest figures in the Volga Federal District. “Saratov Region contributed heavily to Russian history and culture. We know a lot of actors, artists, politicians and soldiers who defended their Motherland”, said A.I. Grankov. “There are few military units named after heroes. I know Chapaevs’ and Panfilovs’. Others got their names from the places of fighting. That is why Panfilov’s regiment is unique”.
He mentioned that Saratov citizens honor the defendants’ heroic deed; there are annual reburials of missing persons’ remains. On March 1, Russia remembered the 6th troop paratroopers who died in Argun gorge fighting Chechen rebels in 2000.
Aleksandr Alfredovich Beck eternalized memory of twenty eight Panfilovs in his story “Volokolamsk Highway”. A memorial plaque to him will be open in Saratov on April 23.
M.V. Lapenko, Head of Research and Education Center on Cooperation with CIS and Baltic Countries, said the countries who initiated the Memory Watch are united by their patriotic feelings and understanding of victory and heroism. She showed some videos about the campaign start in Orenburg and the International Memory Watch standard transfer from Bishkek to Saratov.
Prof. V.G. Tsyplin who brought the standard to Saratov said he was glad to represent the region at the campaign. He shared his emotions about being in Bishkek. According to him, it was a very important and moving event, patriotic and triumphant. In Bishkek, he presented a report on Saratov Region contribution to the Great Victory. “We value every nit of memory of the trials they had to suffer through”, said the Professor.
The transfer took place at the General Panfilov’s monument in the center of Bishkek. The meeting was attended by military academies students, Kyrgyzstan Army and National Gusrd service members. General Panfilov’s granddaughter Aygul Baydakamova also attended the event. The meeting included silent drill team breakdown, wreath laying ceremony, minute of silence and three times salvo fire. To commemorate Panfilovs’ heroic deed students let 28 white balloons in the air.
Closing the meeting, T.V. Cherevichko asked the students to remember their ancestors who defended the Fatherland and participate in the International Memory Watch: “Their heroic deed stayed with us, we have to be grateful to our heroes for our lives. It is important to know our history and feel it; that way we will not get lost in the present”.
Saratov is the eighth city to participate in the International Memory Watch “Us Million Panfilovs”; next week its standard moves to the regional Veterans’ Council. The campaign ends in Moscow in the end of 2016, on the day of 75th anniversary of battle of Moscow.
