the Ceremony, held at the French Embassy, for obvious reasons, was short, but solemn, sincere. After the laying of wreaths and moments of memory was followed by the national anthems of our countries.
it was Conducted by the new Ambassador of France in Russia Pierre levy. A professional diplomat, a prominent scientist, he arrived in Moscow in early 2020.
the speech of the Ambassador, is given in the press release of the Embassy, full of respect for our country, for a joint struggle of the two peoples against Nazism. Pierre levy paid tribute to the memory of this day “is filled with history and meaning for Europe and the world.” Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary highly appreciated, “undoubtedly, the important role played in the victory over Nazi barbarism in Europe, the Soviet Union, his army, his people, with huge human and material losses”.
of Course, not remain without attention and the regiment “Normandy-Neman”. In late 1942, military pilots sent by General de Gaulle and the “Free France”, arrived in Moscow. Fought “side by side with their Soviet brothers in arms. Together French pilots and Soviet mechanics contributed to the final victory and became one of the important symbols of the Franco-Russian friendship.”
the Ambassador reminded about the message of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel macron, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, in which he expressed “feelings of friendship and gratitude of the French people to the Russian people on the occasion of Victory Day that Russia celebrates on may 9”.
In a press release of the Embassy of France in Russia, in particular, is this excerpt from the speech of Mr. Pierre levy: “I would like to these events took place usual: so we gathered, as always, at the monument to the pilots of the regiment “Normandy-Neman” in Lefortovo. And the next day met President of the French Republic. And our President was at the ceremony in red square. We all know what today is an exceptional situation.”
the Ambassador said that “to remember is to look to the past, to pay tribute to the heroism of our ancestors. They fought for their country and for freedom. To keep the memory is to remember the terrible ordeals endured our Europe. Not to forget the horrors of barbarism.
to Keep the memory is to look to the future, to draw in these tragedies the energy not to repeat these mistakes. To build a common future. For Western Europe the symbol of postwar period of the Franco-German reconciliation and the European construction are synonyms of peace and stability, despite the cold war. This victory is the victory of the United Nations, the words of General de Gaulle. The forty – fifth year of the Conference in San Francisco. The year of the creation of the United Nations for peace and international security.
This past obliges us, especially when the current challenges require strong collective action. Our world HRWPCI, vulnerable, and violent, we see it every day. Peace, freedom, democracy, prosperity – there is nothing once and for all. Let’s become stronger after this day, to live our ideals. To be faithful to those who allowed us to be here today”.
the speech of the Ambassador was completed solely solemnly: “long live the Republic! Long live France! Long live Russia! Long live Franco-Russian friendship!”.
Then on the outside of the fence of the Embassy was opened an exhibition devoted to the regiment “Normandy-Neman”. Until we can see it online on the website of the Embassy.
