Moscow Polytech Honours Great Patriotic War Fallen with a Minute of Silence
On the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, Moscow Polytechnic University held a memorial ceremony dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. The participants honored the memory of the fallen defenders of the Motherland and laid scarlet flowers at the memorial, on which the names of the fallen Moscow Polytech members are engraved.
On June 22, 1941, Fascist Germany attacked the Soviet Union without declaring war. This marked the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, one of the most tragic pages in the history of our country. The war lasted 1,418 days and nights and claimed the lives of 27 million citizens of the Soviet Union.
The memorial ceremony was opened by Vladimir Miklushevskii, Rector of Moscow Polytech. Addressing the participants, he emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory.
"June 22 will forever remain in the history of our country as the day that divided people's lives into 'before' and 'after'. During the Great Patriotic War, the entire Soviet people, young and old, rose to defend the Motherland. Students, faculty members and staff of the universities that later became part of Moscow Polytechnic University volunteered for the front, worked for the Victory, continued to train specialists and developed technologies the country needed. On this day, we bow our heads to those who did not return, and we wish good health to our veterans and children of war. It is our duty to preserve the memory of the victors' feat and pass on historical truth to future generations. Historical memory is a safeguard against the horrors of war never happening again!" said Vladimir Miklushevskii.
Nikolay Nitkin, Chairman of the University's Trade Union, recalled that many students and staff of the universities that later became part of Moscow Polytechnic University joined the people's militia, took part in the defense of Moscow and worked in evacuation, ensuring the continuity of the educational process even during the most difficult years of the war.
"Already in July 1941, the Moscow people's militia was formed. Our students and staff took the oath and went to the front – ordinary citizens who were not prepared for military service at all. Those who remained in Moscow switched to siege conditions, were on duty at universities and defended them from high-explosive and incendiary bombs. We are proud of the people who accomplished this feat. But unfortunately, its cost was tragic. The memory of the 27 million people who died will live on our hearts," said Nikolay Nitkin.
The memorial ceremony ended with an All-Russian minute of silence.
