“Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 16 republics of the Soviet Union, following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (after midnight, thus on 9 May Moscow Time). The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin. Though the official inauguration occurred in 1945 the holiday became a non-Labor Day only in 1965 and only in certain Soviet republics.
In East Germany, 8 May was observed as “Liberation Day” from 1950 to 1966, and was celebrated again on the 40th anniversary in 1985. In 1975, a Soviet-style “Victory Day” was celebrated on 9 May. Since 2002, the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has observed a commemoration day known as the “Day of Liberation from National Socialism, and the End of the Second World War”.” – Wikipedia
My first ‘Victory Day’ celebration in Russia! In South Africa, back at home, we also have a little celebration on this occasion every year. By ‘we’ I mean, The Russian Ballet Academy of South Africa. Being a Russian Ballet school, with a ballet teacher influenced by Russia. Being from one of the countries outside of Russia, Kazakhstan (who also celebrates Victory Day), she proudly introduced us to this memorable celebration! So, I’m not complete in the dark about this day.
This past Wednesday was very special. The day was sunny, warm(er) weather and green almost everywhere you look now. Some trees still need to wake up, but the grass and some flowers are in full bloom now and it’s so beautiful. My friend/roomie/classmate and I headed out at noon, we got on the metro and went through to the Kremlin, where all the festivities were! There were people everywhere, some concerts happening and just an all-around festive time. Earlier in the morning there was a parade, but unfortunately, we weren’t there, but next year I’ll be sure to see it! We went and we sat down at the river where it was a little bit more quieter and you could hear the water. It almost felt like I was at the beach for a split second as the sand was beach sand and there were sea shells. Was very nice and interesting because besides the big Volga river, Kazan is nowhere near any ocean. Nature is amazing!
We then made our way to the other side of the Kremlin, walking along the embankment. This was the same place where I went ice skating just a few months ago and now to see the ice gone, replaced with an area where people ride bikes etc. was very nice.
We stopped at this amazing building with this huge tree right in the middle of the architecture. The tree is of course not reel, it’s built and so mesmerizing. The building is called ‘The Palace of Farmers’. It’s the House of Agriculture. (Unfortunately you can’t go inside.)
Then making our way back up the hill on the other side of the Kremlin, we went to search for a place to have lunch on the main pedestrian street in the center. (Bauman street)
The street was full of people, both natives and tourists. We can see how the city is starting to gain more and more tourists by the day as the Viva World Cup is upon us. There was more live music of street artists entertaining people with their art of music, and here and there some random acts of different arts.
We found a small restaurant on our search for a place to eat pizza and having ourselves a little celebration treat 
Each of us ordered our own pizza because we thought it was going to be small according to the price. We were wrong and surprised that for a really decent price we got some really decent sized pizzas. Let’s just say a little food baby was evident soon after. Why? Because no take away! We both only managed to down 4 slices, (half a pizza) and when we asked to take it home, they said they don’t do… what we South African’s call a “doggy bag”. (“Have it to go” / “Take away”) So we slowly, S.L.O.W.L.Y, ate our pizzas until they were done!
PS. I haven’t had pizza for 4 months before this! So, I didn’t really feel guilty at all.
* It’s apple juice…If you know me, then you know I don’t drink.The ribbon around my wrist is a widely recognized symbol of remembrance of the Soviet people who fought in the Great Patriotic War (WW II).
Thank goodness for all the walking we did before as well as after we ate, because it helped digest the food quicker and the “food babies” to be no more. (We covered 9.66km that day…walking!) When we made it all the way to the end of the street, where we could get back on the metro, we went into “Cinnabon” and got Ice cream! I know, we just had pizza, and if it weren’t for the walking, I wouldn’t have been able to! But it was very yummy!
The day was so beautiful and we kept saying that it didn’t even feel like the same place. The last snow fall was literally like two weeks ago and now look at this place! It almost felt like I was on holiday, more like in South Africa than in Russia, because of the weather/temperature and the green scenery. It made me feel at home in a special way. I love being able to smell the grass, flowers, the trees and the leaves. With everything being dead in winter, and oh what a long winter, the smell of spring and summer in the air is truly up lifting and food for the soul!
It was a great mid-week break!!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful and special week and may the week ahead be even better and full of good surprises.
Happy Mothers day to all the mothers in South Africa and lovely week to everyone!!!
To Live is To Dance
xoxo
