27 January 2020 of the year St. Petersburg marks the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade, lasting long 872 day. On this day, memorable events will be held in the northern capital, dedicated to the feat of the unconquered Leningrad.
The siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War became one of the most tragic and heroic periods in the history of not only the city, but the whole country. For massive heroism and courage in defending the Motherland, shown by the defenders of besieged Leningrad, the city was awarded the highest degree of distinction - the title of Hero City. Later 27 January became the Day of Military Glory of Russia.
Places and memorials remind of the great feat of the besieged city - a special category of monuments. There are several dozen of them in St. Petersburg. Among them: Piskarevskoe memorial cemetery, Museum-Reserve "Breaking the Siege of Leningrad", memorial "Broken ring", museum "Nevsky Piglet", apartment of Tanya Savicheva and others.
The feat of Leningraders is also remembered abroad: recently, a monument to the residents and defenders of besieged Leningrad was unveiled in Jerusalem “Memory candle”.
It is a stele with a height of 9 m, weighing in 12 tonnes. At the heart of the artistic solution – candle image, embossed with a bronze inscription: “Remember the living and the fallen, death trampled death”. At the foot of the monument is a slab with the words: “Leningrad was blockaded by the Nazis 900 days and nights. The city survived. About two million civilians and defenders of Leningrad died”.
“Unconquered Leningrad has become a true legend, and the greatness of the strength of spirit and faith in the victory of its inhabitants – the pinnacle of human dignity”, – Russian President Vladimir Putin noted at the opening ceremony.
Social support of the blockade
Currently in St. Petersburg live 77300 citizen, awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" or the badge "Inhabitant of besieged Leningrad".
City officials reported, what 26, 27 and 28 January 2020 years in connection with citywide events, dedicated to the anniversaries of the breakthrough and lifting of the blockade of Leningrad, invalids and veterans of the Great Patriotic War, as well as former underage prisoners of concentration camps are provided with free travel on public transport (we are talking about "social" routes of surface passenger transport and metro). The right to free travel will be provided regardless of the citizenship and place of residence of the veteran.
The government of St. Petersburg previously reported, that 1 January 2020 years to citizens, living (born) in Leningrad during the blockade (regardless of the number of days of stay), with a place of residence in St. Petersburg, the right to additional measures of social support is granted, including a monthly cash payment in the amount of 3 000 rubles.
Events for the Day of the Complete Liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi Blockade
On the 77th anniversary of the breakthrough of the blockade of Leningrad and the 76th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade during the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 years, the authorities of the Northern capital have prepared a plan of citywide festive events. It includes 118 activities, which reflect all aspects of holiday celebrations.
The most significant for all Petersburgers is the solemn and funeral ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery, which takes place annually on this day. Here are 186 mass graves, in which rest 420 thousand city residents, died of hunger, bombing, shelling and 70 thousands of soldiers-defenders of Leningrad.
Also on the same day, laying ceremonies will be held at Serafimovsky, Smolensk, Theological, Nevsky military cemetery, on Victory Square, at the Krasnaya Sloboda memorial and at other memorials and burial places of defenders and residents of besieged Leningrad.
AT 15 hours in the Big Concert Hall "Oktyabrsky" will begin a concert, dedicated to a memorable date, and 21 hour will be given fireworks from the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Throughout the day, a thematic interactive program will be held on Palace Square. Petersburgers and guests of the city will be able to get acquainted with the exhibits of the exhibition of technology - samples of modern and historical military, as well as civil engineering. Field kitchens will be deployed on the square, performances of creative teams are planned.
Tatyana Lenskaya
