May 9, Victory Day. While we are having our breakfast, the military parades from the eastern most cities are already on the TV and we can see the schedule of future parades across the country as time zones go by. We finally understood why Novosibirsk (and probably other cities too) wanted to rehears their parade routine so many times - they will be compared to their peers by millions of spectators on TV!
We missed the parade in Barnaul, but we had a look at what Russians do. There are multiple improvised stages with girls and boys singing war time songs, teenagers reciting poems, singers in traditional dresses and most importantly remembering family members of those who took part in the war.
Then it was time to hit the road and drive South from Barnaul, capital of the Altai Krai (region) to Gorno-Altaysk, capital of the Altai Republic. First I thought they liked capitals in Russia, but then I realised that these are two different regions: Altai Krai and Altai Republic. I could try to write a description of the area, but wikipedia already does a great job:
Altai Republic - Wikipedia and
Altai Krai - Wikipedia.
In Gorno-Altaysk, a capital city of under 60,000 people, we had a walk in the town centre and saw more of May 9 celebrations. We missed the fireworks, but we could hear them from our hotel. A busy day again, so the blog has been delayed two days. See you in Ioagach in the next episode...
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| "We will remember everyone by name, we will remember everyone with our grief. It is not the dead who need it, but those who are alive" |
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| Cadets marching |
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| Priest from the Russian Orthodox church |
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| People getting ready to take part in a procession in memory of their family members that took part into the war. |
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| Altai Krai |
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| Altai Republic |
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| We are leaving the Altai Krai |
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| ... and entering the Altai Republic |
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| Gorno-Altaysk |
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| Lenin Statue in Gorno Altaysk |
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