The laying of the “Garden of Memory” in Cyprus, which took place on Tuesday on the territory of the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Nicosia, contributes to even greater unity between the citizens of the two countries as they approach May 9. This was stated by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cyprus Murat Zyazikov to a TASS correspondent.
Video above: Scenes and words from the “Garden of Memory”
“Garden of Memory” in Nicosia has become another important object symbolizing common values for Russians and Cypriots, such as irreconcilable attitude to fascism, patriotism, strong family traditions, strength of spirit, loyalty to the ideals of ancestors and the ability to remember and appreciate the feats committed by them. As in the Second World War, the aspirations of Russians and ordinary Cypriots, their understanding of the world picture continue to be on the side of good, which is even more felt on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
The laying of such gardens in various cities and countries of the world, as our national leader, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, rightly noted, has become a step that consolidates society,” said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission.
In his message to the organizers and participants, including members of the International Russophile Movement, who work on the “Garden of Memory”, which started in Sevastopol, Vladimir Putin noted that “this noble and truly inspiring initiative unites people of different generations” and “such large-scale, popular events carry out a special, responsible mission: consolidate society around immutable spiritual and moral values, foster respect for military pages of national history”, as well as “serve to preserve our natural wealth, improve environmental culture”.
The campaign, held in Nicosia, was launched on Tuesday and will continue as we approach May 9th, Victory Day, resulting in the planting of 80 olive trees in Cyprus to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory, which symbolize peace, life and the eternal memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. To each of these trees will be attached a plaque with the name of one of the heroes, among whom are the ancestors of the participants of the action. “These are not just trees, they are a living monument to those who gave their lives for the sake of our bright future,” said the participant of the action, head of the Cyprus branch of the All-Russian Public Movement ‘Victory Volunteers’ Vladimiros Gorin.
Additionally, two olive trees were dedicated to Marshal Zhukov and symbolically to a simple ordinary soldier, Alyosha, whose monument stands in the city of Plovdiv in Bulgaria.
The international action “Garden of Memory”, held in the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory, started in Cyprus, Abkhazia, Egypt, Spain, Malaysia, Moldova and other countries with the support of Russian Houses. In total, this year the event will take place in more than 20 countries, its goal is to plant 27 million trees in memory of everyone who died during the war. Numerous members of the International Russophile Movement are participating as well.
The main organizers of the “Garden of Memory” action in Cyprus were the “Victory Volunteers” of Cyprus with the support of the Russian Center for Science and Culture. The action was attended by members of the International Movement of Russophiles of Cyprus, Friendship Society Cyprus Russia, Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots, Youth Club of the Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots.
Many such forms of political action will continue as we approach May 9th, including in two more places in the municipalities of Nicosia and Strovolos on the island of Cyprus.