A discussion on countering distortions of history that make Nazi supporters sound like liberators was held today in Moscow. The Kremlin hosted a meeting of the Pobeda Organizing Committee to discuss preparations for the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, which will be celebrated in 2020.
Here's Dmitry Petrov with the details.
According to the president, the mission of the Pobeda Organizing Committee is to preserve the memory of our ancestors, who saved not only our country but also shaped the future of Europe and the rest of the world. Ahead of the anniversary, the focus is on taking care of our veterans.
Vladimir Putin: "All of the obligations assumed by the government must be fulfilled properly and rigorously. Local governments need to be aware of the individual needs of each veteran, which must be addressed as a top priority. On the federal level, we propose a discussion on the possibility of introducing annual financial aid payments to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War to be made ahead of Victory Day. Up until now, such payments were made only on milestone anniversaries".
The government has been providing veterans with healthcare, building veteran housing, and raising veteran pensions. In the year before the next milestone anniversary, monthly pensions will be increased again.
Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Social Policy: “In 2019, the pension rate for the veterans of the Great Patriotic War will be 44,000 rubles per month. I'd also like to point out that we plan to continue increasing pensions at a higher rate than inflation.”
The one-time financial aid payments will be raised in accordance with inflation. The veterans will also receive a one-time payment of about 10,000 rubles ahead of Victory Day. Museums play an important role in keeping the memory of the war alive. In May of 2020, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War located on Poklonnaya Gora will serve as the main venue for the anniversary celebrations. By then, Russia's main military history museum will have its own depository, which the museum never had before. The Malakhov Kurgan representing the two Battles of Sevastopol has been fully renovated. The monument "The Motherland Calls" also awaits renovation. The president encouraged curators of other museums to engage in similar projects for the sake of our common history.
Vladimir Putin: "The more people help preserve those memories, the stronger they will be. There is no doubt about that. And the slimmer the possibility that those who want to falsify or distort our history will be able to do so".
According to Putin, the memory of the worst war in the history of humanity must be preserved unchanged and bring people together.
Vladimir Putin: "When organizing the celebrations, we must be responsible, creative, and, of course, sincere. Commemorating the Great Patriotic War on Victory Day should not be done as a mere formality. What people see as sacred symbols must be shielded from any formalism and vulgarity".
A number of movies devoted to the war came out this year. The film T-34 will soon have its opening night. The minister of culture also thinks that it's important to make a new film about the Nuremberg trials ahead of the anniversary.
Vladimir Medinsky, Russian Minister of Culture: "Over the course of history, the United States has fully privatized this topic. In many books and movies, Americans present the Nuremberg trials as a major victory of the United States while downplaying the role of the Soviet Union. Mr. Putin, could you please instruct the Ministry of Finance to explore this idea?"
Vladimir Putin: "Mr. Siluanov is listening to us right now. I'll discuss this project with him later, but I do like your idea".
Finally, on Victory Day, there will be fireworks in Moscow and in the Hero Cities. The Cities of Military Glory will hold military parades.
The Russian regions will do their part in the preparations and the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the victory as well. This includes working with the veterans of the Great Patriotic War, which is easier to do in the regions, where everyone knows their local heroes. Local governments will also be tasked with promoting patriotism among the youth by supporting nonprofit voluntary organizations which search for the bodies of those killed in combat, and restore monuments.
Dmitry Petrov, Margarita Avoyan, Vladimir Ozerov, Viktor Vinogradov, and Andrei Boroukhin, Vesti, Kremlin.
