The "Memory Wall" campaign, which will unite the regions of Russia and dozens of countries, was launched at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The "Victory Volunteers" movement officially launched the All-Russian "Memory Wall" campaign at the National Centre RUSSIA. It was from here, on 1 May, that a series of openings for memorial stands began in the regions of Russia and more than 20 countries worldwide. The campaign, timed to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 1 to 10 May, bringing together families who preserve the memory of their relatives — war participants, home front workers, concentration camp prisoners, and children of war.

"The 'Memory Wall' campaign is an opportunity to come here, print a photo, and place it on the wall — right here, in the heart of Moscow, at the National Centre RUSSIA. This is our simple but sincere 'thank you' to those we have to thank for our lives today. It is vital that we pass this memory on to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and future generations. We remember and we are proud. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought fascism and called each other comrades. Today, the fighters of the special military operation call each other brothers. Our President, Vladimir Putin, has declared this year the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, and words like 'comrade' and 'brother' symbolise unity — once of the Soviet Union, and today of all Russia. My thanks go to our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, as well as to the fighters of the special military operation who continue this great and righteous cause," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Together with the staff and volunteers of the National Centre RUSSIA, volunteers from the Victory Volunteers National Public Movement, the Immortal Regiment of Russia National Public Movement, Yunarmiya activists, and the Volunteer Company of Combat Brotherhood, the guests of honour placed portraits of their Heroes on the stand, launching a large-scale commemorative campaign currently taking place across the country and abroad.

Vladislav Golovin, Hero of Russia, Chief of the General Staff of the YUNARMIYA All-Russian Young Army Military-Patriotic Social Movement, and participant in the "Time of Heroes" presidential programme, placed a photograph of his great-grandfather, Ivan Klimentyevich Gubsky, on the "Memory Wall".

"Every family has its own hero — a relative whose story is an example of resilience and love for the Motherland. In an age where historical facts are often distorted, it is especially important that the memory of our heroes' feat is passed on directly — from family to family, from heart to heart. This is why campaigns like the 'Memory Wall' are not just for those who have passed. They are for us, and even more so for those who will follow us," Vladislav Golovin noted.

The event was also attended by Artemy Kiselev, Acting Executive Director of the Victory Volunteers National Public Movement; Natalia Shadrina, Head of the Executive Committee of the Immortal Regiment of Russia National Public Movement; and Sergei Romanovich Sukhorukov, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War and survivor of the Siege of Leningrad.

"I wish you all good health, success, and a fond memory of this holiday. Always pass on the memory of this great event that unites us to your children and grandchildren," Sergei Sukhorukov shared.

Sergei Romanovich Sukhorukov was born on 7 February 1937 in Leningrad. He was four and a half years old when the siege began. Five out of his family of nine perished. His father went to the front in the early days of the war, was wounded at the Nevsky Pyatachok, and died in August 1943 during the Battle of Kursk. In late 1943, Sergei and his brother were evacuated from Leningrad to the Kuibyshev Region, and in 1944 he was adopted by Klavdia Mikhailovna and Roman Karpovich Sukhorukov.

"These black-and-white photographs show our grandfathers, great-grandfathers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. They fought for the Motherland's freedom at workbenches and in trenches, in hospitals and on the battlefield. Today we are opening 'Memory Walls' once again to say: their feat lives forever in the people's memory. Every portrait is a piece of historical truth that cannot be rewritten. This campaign connects generations and reminds us of the price paid for the Great Victory. We plan to open 'Memory Walls' in all 89 regions of Russia. Abroad, the campaign will be held in collaboration with Rosstodrudnichestvo in over 20 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Mexico, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Argentina, Palestine, Nepal, and other states," stated Artemy Kiselev, Acting Executive Director of the Victory Volunteers National Public Movement.

The campaign aims to preserve historical memory, immortalise the feat of the generation of Victors, and forge a personal connection between generations through family stories. The stands are placed in public areas to create a unified memorial space reflecting each family’s contribution to the collective Victory.

The "Memory Wall" is one of the formats of the Immortal Regiment campaign, first proposed by the Victory Volunteers All-Russian Public Movement in 2023.

The campaign runs at the National Centre RUSSIA from 1 to 10 May in the western entrance foyer. To participate, a digital or printed photo is required; volunteers at the "Memory Wall" will print a layout with the photograph. The exposition is open from 10:00 to 20:00.

The National Centre RUSSIA has prepared an extensive programme for the whole family from 1 to 10 May. The St. George Ribbon campaign, one of the main symbols of Victory Day, is also taking place. Volunteers are handing out ribbons to guests as a sign of memory, respect for veterans, and gratitude to those who defended peace. Each black-and-orange ribbon is a reminder of the feat and the link between generations. It is worn on clothing to say the most important thing: "We remember. We are proud."

On 7 and 8 May, the National Centre RUSSIA will host the premiere of the historical play "Soldiers' Dreams", dedicated to the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. The project is based on war chronicles, using documentary footage, memories, songs, and poems of the era to immerse the audience in the past. Around 500 performers will take part. As a special gift for the audience on 7 May, a combined children's brass band will perform in the foyer before the show, led by Mikhail Bryzgalov, President of the Russian Brass Society, Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation, member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, and member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art.

The "Red Carnation" charity campaign and the "Car for the Front" patriotic initiative will also take place at the centre during these days, allowing everyone to leave sincere words of support for the participants of the special military operation.

The "Geography Lessons" exposition remains open, offering a journey through cartographic treasures from the country's leading repositories. Specially for the 81st anniversary of Victory, the exposition features thematic displays on the role of geography and cartography during the war. Guests can learn how topographers aided the front, see the legendary "Victory Map", track key combat events, and understand how knowledge of the terrain was decisive in achieving Victory.

The "Geography Lessons" lecture hall programme will complement the celebrations: a "Military Topography Lesson" will take place on 7 May, followed by the "Victory Legacy" quiz on 8 May, covering the history, culture, and science of the war years.