Victory Day in Berlin-Treptow

In succession to yesterdays blogpost about Victory Park in Moscow, I´d like to write about Victory Day in Berlin as I´ve experienced it two months ago. Victory Day is a big thing in Russia, it´s the most important holiday in their calendar. Now, more than ever they need to remember collectively that they did something sincerely good in their past. It´s this Russian self-esteem thing.

Some Russians also come to Berlin. "To Berlin - HA БEPΛИH" is a phrase closely connected with Victory Day. They assembled in Berlin-Treptow at the Soviet War Memorial. There are quite a few Russians/German-Russians/Russians with German passports in Germany. Many of them also came. Some of them, especially those with a German passport, seem to have a serious identity problem. Back in Russia they feel German, over here they feel more Russian, and, generally they (hopefully just a few) feel more comfortable with testosterone politics than with an open society.

Now comes Victory Day. That´s when all Russians, and those who feel Russian, come together to celebrate this truly important date. Some commemorate the fallen soldiers, some come to mourn their ancestors, some come to feel and take in the historic greatness of the day and some come to put on a show of eternal yesterdays nationalism. The celebration I witnessed was a little disturbing. Apart from the sincere and serious part, there was also the presence of the so-called Nightwolves and other ultra-nationalistic groups which represent ideas that are in strong contradiction to the anti-fascist idea of Victory Day. They show off such a weird mix of symbols that I seriously started doubting their sanity and common sense. The Soviet flag and the Ribbon of Saint George go hand in hand with czarist banners, double-headed eagles and the crudely designed night-wolf on a present-day Russian flag.

Well, as a bystander I was just watching and wondering, a lot of this not being my cup of tea. But it surely was very interesting and it left me filled with a little pride about our open-minded society. At least here some of those who seem to be riddled with narrow-mindedness and intelectual simplicity can produce a show like that, with the majority tolerating it. That´s not weakness as some put it, it´s our great strength.

Getting ready - a German supporter group.

One of 16 common graves. Because all buried soldiers are centrally registered,

relatives can find out in which grave their ancestors were laid to rest.

         The basics like on any Russian cemetery:

                   bread, cigarettes and vodka

A former Soviet soldier puts on his old uniform. Getting a little tight here and there.

Old frustrated boring people in boring jackets: the Communist Party of Germany.

And here come the Nightwolves. Enthusiastically welcomed by some,

ignored by others. The media were all over them.

A mix of flags could be seen waving. Soviet, Russian, Romanian, Serb, Macedonian and Ex-Yugoslavian.

Ultra nationalist Serbs and Russians are "brothers in arms".

These guys are not so confidence inspiring. Not a pretty sight.

This is better, a young woman with

authentic WW II soldiers cap.

Signs of hope. Russians and Ukrainians posing.

Relatives of the fallen show their pride.

Another appearance I´m not too sure what to think of. The commingled flags of Germany and Russia.

Joy of traditional Russian music.

Exit of the Nightwolves. Mounting their bikes to form a motorcade.