VIENNA (Sputnik) — The 2016 Immortal Regiment march, commemorating the Victory Day all across the globe, will take place in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Sunday, May 8, the coordinator of the event said Monday.
On May 9, Russia and former Soviet states celebrate the anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany. The day also commemorates the end of war in Europe. The Immortal Regiment is a patriotic initiative that marks the victory. During the marches, people carry photographs of their ancestors, who participated in World War II.
"The Victory Day Organizing Committee decided to hold the event on May 8, which is a day-off, when everyone may come to the square and take part in the initiative…. So it will be more convenient for the majority of citizens," Sofia Parfyonova told RIA Novosti.
Last year, Vienna hosted the march on May 9. The event brought together some 100 people from all the corners of Austria, as well from neighboring Italy and Slovenia.
In Russia, some 500,000 people marched last year through Moscow's Red Square, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The WWII claimed more than 40 million lives in the European theater, 27 million of them were Soviet casualties, both civilians and military.
