Events are taking place in Nizhny Novgorod in honor of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

      On May 8, 2026, 14:14 Society In Nizhny Novgorod, solemn and commemorative events continue to be held in honor of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. On the eve of the holiday, a series of patriotic actions took place in the city. Deputies, students, volunteers, and local residents gathered for a rally at the building of the Olympic Reserve School.

      The action continued with the "Immortal Regiment." A column with portraits of relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War marched from the Olympic Reserve School to the monument to Marshal Rokossovsky. The regional executive committee of the party and the local branch of "United Russia" in the Soviet district organized the procession.

      "The 'Immortal Regiment' is a living thread connecting the past and the present. By going out into the streets with portraits of our relatives, we say: the victory of our grandfathers is our common victory. I am glad that this year especially many young people joined us. This means that the memory does not fade but is passed on," noted Yuri Balashov, secretary of the local branch of the "United Russia" party and deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      The participants of the rally honored the memory of the fallen with a moment of silence and laid flowers at the foot of the monument. Dozens of students participated in the procession. One of them, Anna Kolesnikova, held a portrait of her great-grandfather in her hands.

      "I carry a photograph of my great-grandfather. This is my way of saying 'thank you' to a person I know only from my grandmother's stories. When you walk shoulder to shoulder in the column with dozens of people, you understand: we have one memory," shared Anna.

      The traditional place was taken by the patriotic action "Georgievskaya Lentočka." On the central pedestrian street of the city, Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, volunteers from "United Russia" distributed the main symbol of the holiday to everyone who wished. Activists told passersby about the history and significance of this military symbol and explained how to wear it correctly.

      "The Georgievskaya Lentočka symbolizes deep respect for the feat of soldiers; it is a sign of our gratitude. It is important to explain to people, especially the youth, what meaning is embedded in it. Black is the color of gunpowder smoke, orange is the color of flame. These colors repeat the palette of the Order of Glory, which was awarded for personal courage on the battlefield. When we see the ribbon on the chest of a passerby, we must understand: he remembers. And we must support this tradition," noted Dmitry Filipenko, head of the Nizhny Novgorod regional executive committee of the "United Russia" party.

      Volunteers explained that the ribbon should be attached to the left side of the chest, near the heart, just like medals and orders are worn. It is also permissible to place it on the shoulder or collar.

      "People approach with genuine interest. Many ask to tell them where these colors come from and ask for help in attaching the ribbon correctly. You feel that you are doing something truly necessary," said "United Russia" activist Andrey Korolev.

      Let us remind you that the "Georgievskaya Lentočka" action has been taking place since 2005 not only in Russia but also abroad. Since 2022, the Georgievskaya ribbon has been officially recognized as a symbol of military glory, and its use is permitted only for the purpose of preserving historical memory. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, volunteers will work until May 9 at memorials, parks, and central squares. Anyone can receive a ribbon and learn its history. The memory of the war is not only a minute of silence and laying flowers but also such simple, understandable symbols that are carefully passed down from generation to generation.

      The party project "Historical Memory" plays a key role in preserving the truth about the heroism of Russian soldiers. The project organizes educational actions, exhibitions, and publications dedicated to the continuity of the feats of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War and the defenders of the Fatherland today. Initiatives form a unified historical field of memory for the younger generations and strengthen patriotism in the unity of the past and present. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.