Victory Day: Origins, Traditions, and Meaning

Victory Day (Den Pobedy) on 9 May marks the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. First celebrated on 9 May 1945 following Germany's unconditional surrender, the day has become one of the most important holidays in Russia and across the post-Soviet world. The Immortal Regiment march began in 2012 in Tomsk, when three journalists — Sergey Lapenkov, Sergey Kolotovkin, and Igor Dmitriev — organised the first procession of citizens carrying portraits of their veteran relatives. The movement quickly spread across Russia and internationally. In the UK, the first Immortal Regiment march took place in London, and has since grown to include cities across the country. Today, Victory Day traditions include the laying of wreaths, the singing of wartime songs, the sharing of soldiers' porridge (kasha), and the wearing of the St George ribbon.