When the Nazi Germany capitulated, it was a sign of victory for the whole world, for every continent. Through the common effort, through blood and tears, several of the world’s greatest armies fought – and defeated – the biggest threat the modern history has ever seen. It was the brave actions and the lives of thousands of soldiers of different nationalities and allegiances that brought down this terrifying enemy, and this must not be forgotten by those who are allowed to live afterwards.

However, there are limits to such a vision – or, at least, the rational mind dictates that there must be. While it’s important to honor those who have laid their lives for the sake of their children, it’s also important not to turn it into an obsession. It was a terrible tragedy that happened to the whole world, and we ought to be grateful for it to have been ceased, but there is no longer any honor in celebrating the victory. It happened, and like with all things of the past, we must learn from it and then let it stay in the past; not of ungratefulness, but of concern with the lives that we have now and the problems we have to solve to let the future come a shade brighter.

It pains me to see, therefore, how the Russian culture is malformed under the premise of patriotism whilst celebrating the “glorious victory” the Soviet Union held seventy-some years ago. In preparation for May 9th, banners are strung above the roads saying something to the likes of “Congratulations with N years of victory!”, public transportation serves as a moving such banner of its own, silk lines – orange-and-black Georgian brands, presumably after Georgiy Zhukov – are given away on the street to be worn as a symbol of commemoration of the event and the whole country seems to be going crazy for around a month.

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