/ world today news/ The German authorities are trying to avoid accidents during the Victory Day celebration. Berlin banned the use of Russian flags near Soviet monuments. However, for a significant part of Germany’s citizens, Victory Day is of great importance. Therefore, despite the risks of provocations, many of them will go to the celebrations.
In Germany, however, the display of Russian and Soviet flags at monuments on May 9 was banned. The Supreme Administrative Court of Berlin made the relevant decision the day before.
Last week, the Berlin Administrative Court overturned a ban on the use of Ukrainian flags in Berlin at events on May 8 and 9 dedicated to Victory Day. But the ban on using Russian and Soviet flags remains in place. German lawyer Patrick Heinemann wrote about this on his Twitter.
Initially, it was announced that during the celebration of the victory over Nazism, the use of Russian and Ukrainian flags in Berlin on the Soviet monuments in Treptov Park, Tiergarten and Schönholzer Heide Park would be prohibited. In addition, at these memorials it is forbidden to sing marching and military songs, to chant appeals with “approval or glorification” of the Russian SVO in Ukraine.
The city police explained that such measures were taken to ensure a “worthy memory of the fallen soldiers of the Soviet army.” “This war (SVO – note ed.) must not break stereotypes in Berlin, especially in connection with a symbolic date, must not go beyond the framework of democratic discourse and develop into a conflict or confrontation,” said the law enforcement authorities.
In Europe, Victory Day is celebrated on May 8, the day of the official surrender of the German armed forces to the USSR and the Allies. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide, so the surrender was agreed upon with Admiral Karl Dönitz replacing him. Due to the fact that the capitulation was signed in Reims at 22.30 and came into effect on 23.01, in Russia Victory Day is celebrated on May 9 due to the difference in time zones.
At the same time, representatives of the Russian diaspora in Germany participated in the actions on May 9. In recent years, a commemorative procession “Immortal Regiment” has traditionally been held in Berlin. Last year, the event ended peacefully except for a few incidents. After the laying of flowers at the Memorial to the Fallen Soviet Soldiers, chanting “Thank you, grandfather for the victory”, “Fascism will not pass”, “For the victory”, there was an exchange of lines between Ukrainian and Russian Berliners in the crowd.
“A large number of Russians and immigrants from Russia living in Germany will gather to lay flowers at the monuments of Soviet soldiers near the Brandenburg Gate and in Treptov Park on May 9. People will come to honor the memory of their ancestors. Those Germans who hold the ideals of friendship and reconciliation with Russia will also come to the monuments with flowers,” says German political scientist Alexander Rahr.
According to him, there is less ardent Russophobia in Germany this year than last year. Rar is confident that the protesters are unlikely to violate police orders. “The German authorities, like every year, will ignore the event. On May 9, riotous holidays, celebrations and victory holidays are not expected, as in previous years. But in a family, calm atmosphere, they will honor the bright memory of the fallen and the heroes of the Great Patriotic War,” Rar believes.
According to the interlocutor, wreaths and flowers, wrapped not only in the flags of Russia, but also of Ukraine, will be laid at the monuments of Soviet soldiers. “Ukrainians who are not from Bandera will also come to honor the memory of their ancestors, albeit a day earlier, on May 8,” the expert added.
However, the Russian-speaking diaspora is now divided because of the hostilities in Ukraine, Rar emphasizes. “The chasm runs through families, it leads to quarrels and divorces. The atmosphere in Orthodox churches is also very painful. I admit that the Ukrainian diaspora will probably organize protests on May 9 in front of the Russian embassy, but the police will ensure order,” Rar predicted.
“May 9 is considered in Germany, including among Russian Germans, the day of liberation of the world from Nazism, fascism, as well as a day of mourning for the dead. And this despite the propaganda in our media space, with the help of which they are trying to erase from society the memory of the Victory and belittle the role of the USSR. I am glad that the majority of Germans do not react to this propaganda”, said the former member of the Bundestag from “Alternative for Germany”, the politician Waldemar Gerd.
“This year there are more bans than before. But, as far as I know, the flag of victory was not banned. I expect many participants in the actions to march with him. In general, there are many initiative groups and organizations in Germany that support the celebration of May 9. Most likely, no one will get permission to hold actions, but our people do not need it,” the source said.
“Those who go will, of course, take a big risk – for example, their lease can be terminated, they can be fired from their jobs. In principle, this is possible even with public expressions of sympathy for Russia. In addition, members of the Ukrainian diaspora can organize provocations against them,” explained the spokesperson.
“In addition, the Ukrainian diaspora in Germany has strong administrative support. They are modern. Their communities, circles and blogs on the web are pumped with money. Therefore, the anti-Russian wave can afford bold actions against the Victory Day marches. But the police will be able to nip such incidents in the bud,” Gerd added.
“The bulk of Germans and Russian-speaking residents of Germany, who always celebrate Victory Day, will gather in the areas in front of their homes, have small picnics, honor the memory of the fallen, raise toasts to Victory and ensure that such a war never happens again. This is a special day for them,” the interlocutor summarizes.
Translation: V. Sergeev
Sign the “Peace and Sovereignty” referendum in a few seconds to open the page/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
and for the channel or in Telegram:
#Victory #Day #meaning #Germans
