PARIS (Sputnik) – Hundreds of people, including veterans and diplomats, took part in the "Immortal Regiment" march honoring victory over Nazism in World War II on Sunday, celebrated as the Victory in Europe Day.
Le Régiment immortel défile à #Paris le 8 mai. EN DIRECT @marcrumisputnik: https://t.co/lh6SIRoQgq #France #marche pic.twitter.com/tsNSc0qise
— Sputnik France (@sputnik_fr) 8 May 2016
Several hundred people took place in the event, with many of them carrying portraits of their relatives who fought in the war. Multiple flags were also seen in the march, including those of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as Greece and the United States, and the Victory Banner. Several people were dressed in Soviet military uniforms.
Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov and Russia’s envoy to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Eleonora Mitrofanova also partook in the march, bringing portraits of their ancestors.
"My son is carrying the portrait of my father… I am carrying the portrait of his brother, and my daughter [is carrying the portrait of] my father’s sister. Remembering them is sacred for us and it is very important for us to take part in this event," Orlov said.
The "Immortal Regiment" is a patriotic initiative that commemorates WWII soldiers in marches held across Russia and other countries in early May. During the marches, people carry photographs of their ancestors who participated in the war. Some 12 million people have participated in the 2015 Immortal Regiment march throughout Russia.
This year, commemorative marches are held in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and many other countries.
