SUKHUM, May 6 (RIA Novosti) – The former Georgian republic of Abkhazia that gained independence in 2008 has launched its eighth St. George ribbon campaign to mark the upcoming 69th Victory Day, a spokeswoman for the Sukhum City Hall said.
“Over 55,000 Abkhazians fought in the Great Patriotic War. Of them, 17,436 never made it home and 22 were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Our young people need to learn of their deeds and remember those who died on the battlefield. This campaign is a tribute to them,” Madona Kvitsinia told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
The event was organized by the local authority of the Abkhazian capital, Sukhum.
The St. George Order of the Russian Empire was first granted by Catherine the Great as the top decoration for valor on the battlefield. Centuries later, it was incorporated into an order awarded for bravery when fighting against German invaders.
Today, thousands of ribbon replicas are distributed in the former Soviet republics and abroad to commemorate all those who suffered in World War II.
