9th of May, the day of victory against fascism commemorated across Europe

Russia

In Moscow, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) held a major gathering and a motor rally to celebrate Victory Day. Rallies and commemorations were held all across Russia as well. 

“The Great Patriotic War was a confrontation between two systems: Soviet socialism and fascist capitalism. In the rear and at the front, Soviet people defended the gains of the October Revolution and the new life built in hard work. Thanks to Stalin's great modernization, the Soviet Union managed to withstand the Europe conquered by Hitler, which was going on a «crusade against Bolshevism», and defeat Germany and its allies.

Glory to the great victorious Soviet people! Glory to the heroic Red Army! Eternal memory to the heroes who died in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland! Happy Victory Day!” said the KPRF in a statement.

Victory Day Rally in Moscow

A picture from the motor rally of the KPRF

Belarus

The Communist Party of Belarus (CPB) held a gathering in Minsk to pay tribute to those who fell during the Great Patriotic War, with party members participating in a flower laying ceremony. In addition, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPB, Sergei Sryankov, visited and honored the GPW veteran Vladimir Vasilievich Borodin.

Flower laying ceremony of the CPB in Minsk

CPB First Secretary with veteran Vladimir Vasilievich Borodin

Czech Republic

The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia organised a commemoration at the Olšanské Cemetery in Prague, where the Red Army soldiers are buried. Party officials and the World Peace Council president made speeches. 

Austria

On May 9, the Austrian Party of Labor (PdA) commemorated Victory Day in Vienna. On this occasion, party chairman Otto Bruckner expressed gratitude to the Red Army of the Soviet Union for liberating Europe and defeating fascism. Together with his deputy, Mathias Schneider, he laid a wreath with a ribbon bearing the inscription “Thank you, Soviet soldiers.” The commemoration in Vienna took place at Schwarzenbergplatz, at the monument to the 26,000 Red Army soldiers who fell during the liberation of Austria.

PdA commemorates Victory Day in Vienna

Germany

The German Communist Party (DKP) commemorated Victory Day in Berlin, facing egregious repression and censorship attempts from the Berlin police. Citing the supposed necessity to stop “pro-Russian propaganda”, the police prohibited open displays of Soviet flags, with even the famous picture of the Soviet flag over the Reichstag being censored. DKP in Berlin made a statement in response, stating “On May 9th, the Berlin police banned the display of the Soviet flag at the Soviet memorial. We are not allowed to show the famous image of the victory over German fascism and had to tape over the flag. Stop the historical revisionism of the German government and the EU!” Despite the repression and censorship, DKP was able to hold a flower laying ceremony on the Soviet War Memorial.

Censorship of Soviet symbols in Berlin

DKP’s Victory Day Ceremony in Berlin

Greece

The organisations of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Victory Day with a variety of events across Greece. Significant were the events in Larissa, where the KKE held a commemoration in front of the Museum-Monument of the National Resistance, commemorating the Greek partisan war of resistance against German fascist occupation. Similar commemorations and rallies were held in Patras, Drama, Sparta and Agrinio. In Sparta, flowers were also laid at the statue of the 118 executed in Monodendri by the German fascist occupation troops on November 26, 1943, a monument located in the OTE Park.

Rally in Larissa

Flowers laid at the monument in Sparta