Victory Day In Crimea

The big Moscow parade is cool, but local May 9 celebrations have their own charming qualities.

We’re still in Theodosia, of course, and this was the second Victory Day parade we’ve attended here. We caught May 9 on our vacation while shopping for houses last year. In 2024 we were in Crimea for the first time, and happened to be in Kerch for May 9.

Unfortunately I misremembered the start-time as 10 a.m., when it was actually 9. So rather than take a leisurely bus trip and arrive an hour early like I had planned, we arrived a few minutes after the ceremony had started. We didn’t miss anything, but I wasn’t in an advantageous spot to get good photos, But still, you can get an idea:

The wreath shown on the left is lain by the eternal flame, followed by flowers by community and religious leaders, veterans, and other citizens.

Speeches, poetry and the Russian and Soviet anthems are played.

There were also flowers for the the new obelisk finished last year to commemorate Theodosia’s recognition by presidential decree as a city of military glory.

There’s a holiday tradition in Russia of people driving around their cars and motorcycles with flags and honking their horns.

Somewhere in the city center I came across a display of noteable people in the war, mostly partisans but also military personnel and volunteers. The survival rate for partisans listed was not great.

I’ve been sick, unfortunately, but I hope to be back posting more often this week. Also remember that I have some translation projects going, that will also (hopefully) be finished this month.