"Heirs of the Victors": continuity between generations of defenders of the Fatherland at the National Centre RUSSIA
The "Heirs of the Victors" campaign, organised jointly with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, is taking place at the National Centre RUSSIA. It is timed to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and explores continuity between generations. Its aim is to show the unbroken tradition of serving the Motherland and the contribution of every family to the country’s history. Through personal stories, visitors can see that heroism and patriotism are not abstract concepts, but real examples that inspire and unite people.
The stories of the heroes can be seen on media screens and the media facade at the western entrance to the National Centre RUSSIA, as well as at its branches in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra. The exposition is based on photo pairs: veterans of the Great Patriotic War and their descendants who are taking part in the special military operation. The heroes’ stories represent different regions of Russia — from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to the Chechen Republic, from the Udmurtian Republic to the Kostroma Region — and highlight the diversity of the peoples of our country.
Each story is a living connection between eras, showing how the traditions of serving the Motherland are passed down from generation to generation. For example, in the family of Ivan Kirillin from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), his great-grandfather Grigory Anisimov fought on the Leningrad Front and was awarded the Order of the Red Star. In 2022, Ivan volunteered for the special military operation and received the Order of Courage.
The family of Junior Sergeant Dmitry Bestsennykh from the Kostroma Region demonstrates another example. His father, Stepan Bestsennykh, stood up to defend the Motherland when he was 27. He courageously endured the severe trials of 1941–1945. After the victory of the Soviet Union, he continued his service in the Far East. For the courage he showed in battle, he was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War. Dmitry went to the special military operation inspired by the example of his father, a veteran of the Second World War, and was awarded the Medal "For Courage".
Veteran of the special military operation Dinar Khalitov from the Perm Territory, Timur Amayev from the Chechen Republic, veteran of the special military operation Alexander Goryunov from the Republic of Mordovia, Mikhail Bondarev from the Chuvash Republic and veteran of the special military operation Vadim Chupin from the Udmurtian Republic also shared their stories. These stories are not only about the combat paths of ancestors and descendants, but also about continuing to serve society: after returning home, many participants in the campaign are actively involved in patriotic education for young people and help other veterans adapt to civilian life.
On 7 and 8 May, a campaign organised by the All-Russia People's Front will take place at the southern entrance of the National Centre RUSSIA.
