More than 1,500 people took part in the international event “Immortal Regiment,” which took place in the center of Montreal in Canada on Victory Day after a forced five-year hiatus.
A large number of people, with flags, banners, and balloons paraded on Sainte-Catherine street to celebrate the allied forces’ victory against Nazi Germany in WW2. The street was blocked for traffic for the event. It stretched for hundreds of meters, as participants walked, singing songs and waving flags.
The procession was preceded by a small official part with the participation of representatives of the Consulate General of Russia in Montreal and honorary WW2 veterans. After that, to the songs of wartime, the column set off along the route.
During the event, an airplane flew over the central part of the metropolis with a giant banner depicting the St. George ribbon and congratulations on Victory Day. The width of the banner was 3 meters, and the length was 75 meters.
“Today is the greatest day in history. And the greatest for all of us is Victory Day! The day when the world was liberated from the invasion of the fascist plague and breathed freely again. A world that was saved by our ancestors, including yours and mine,” stated Victoria Hristova, an event participant.
Aside a small protest was staged by members of the Ukrainian community who do not agree with the results of WW2.
The “Immortal Regiment” is a social movement that originated in Russia in 2012. It involves people marching in commemoration of their relatives who fought in allied forces in World War II against Nazi Germany and other fascist regimes. Participants carry portraits of their relatives, usually veterans, who served during the war, regardless of whether they survived or perished.
The movement aims to honor the memory of those who contributed to the victory in World War II and to preserve the historical memory of their sacrifices. Over time, the Immortal Regiment movement has spread to various countries around the world, where people of Russian descent or those with connections to the war participate in similar marches on Victory Day, May 9th.