Over 1,000 gather in London for first march of Immortal Regiment

'Immortal Regiment' in London. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

More than 1,000 people marched through central London from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament on May 9 in an “Immortal Regiment” in memory of their relatives who fought in World War II.

The mostly Russian participants sang songs and carried portraits of their grandparents high above their heads: veterans and home front workers, members of the resistance, children of war and those who were prisoners in concentration camps or survived the Siege of Leningrad.

Russian Ambassador to the UK (C) Alexander Yakovenko has also taken part in the march. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

The “Immortal Regiment” procession brings together thousands of people each year across Russian cities and around the world, but this year marked the first time it had taken place in London.

Each old black and white image, printed on paper and carried aloft, tells the true story of life. Olga Amelchenko, one of the participants, came to London from the southwest of England only to march to remember her relatives.

Olga Amelchenko (L) with photos of the relatives she lost in the WWII. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

During WWII Amelchenko lost 17 family members, the fate of most of which is still unknown. One of her grandfathers, Pavel Mukvich, died in battle. The last contact they had was a letter from Stalingrad.

“He wrote he would never come back because it was hell on earth there. He asked to take care of children and give then a good education. That’s it. We have no photo of him, only the ones made before the war,” said Amelchenko. Even now, telling the story brings her to tears.

Another participant, Maxim Poptsov, marched with a portrait of Tatyana Petrova, his grandmother. She survived the Siege of Leningrad, but her eight brothers and sisters died.

Maxim Poptsov marched with photos of his relatives. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

“They ate everything, even leather belts. Though my grandmother does not speak much about that tough time. I think she does not want to remember the war,” he said. “She is 88 now and celebrating Victory Day in Riga.”

Showing respect

Several Britons also participated in the march. Richard Campo joined the procession in memory of his Polish grandfather Michael, who fought with the Allies in Italy.

“For me being here today is a way of showing my respect. When I was a boy, I used to wear all his medals. I’m quite proud of him, it’s nice to bring him back to life in this moment,” said Campo.

The procession was headed by war veterans. Boris Davidov, who used to be a sailor of the Black Sea fleet, was a mine sweeper at sea.

Boris Davidov used to be a sailor of the Black Sea fleet. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

The veteran shared his memories of Victory Day on May 9, 1945. “I was in the sea near Novorossiysk. Friends woke me up, I came out on deck, there was fire from all the weapons, people were celebrating. In the morning we went to the city with our allies from other ships and we celebrated all together, like here today.”

Boris Davidov. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

According to the organizer of the project, Tatyana Campo, it took several months to make the idea a reality. The idea occurred to Campo, both of whose grandfathers fought in the war, in 2015 after she visited Moscow and took part in the procession of the Immortal Regiment.

“I wanted my daughter to see the Russian celebration of Victory Day. She grew up in the UK and didn’t know much about it. She was crying the whole way back and we decided we couldn’t help but organizing the same in London,” said Campo.

This year the “Immortal Regiment” procession has taken place the first time in London. Source: Yelena Bozhkova

Immortal Regiment processions also took place in various other countries around the world, including Italy, Qatar, Argentina, China, Bulgaria, South Korea, France, the U.S., Lebanon, Austria, Malta, Greece and Germany. Europe marks Victory Day one day earlier, on May 8 – it is celebrated on May 9 in Russia because due to the time difference it was already May 9 in the USSR when the German surrender was signed in 1945.

Read more: The true face of bravery: War heroes captured on film

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