Den' Pobedi

Happy Victory Day!

Russophiles, Slavs and Historians unite today to celebrate Victory Day (Russian: День Победы)!

Late at night on May 8th, 1945 (technically May 9th in the Soviet Union), Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union. Today marks the anniversary of the last day of the Great Patriotic War, which the Western World knows as WWII.

Although a melodramatic title, I will defend the Soviet's use of The Great Patriotic War, as the Soviet Union, out of all the Allies, endured the most casualties. However, this is rarely acknowledged by Western Europe, who refer to this day in history as V-E Day (Victory in Europe).

Putting your own Eurocentric ideas aside, please take a moment today to remember the men and women who braved the Siege of Leningrad, who went off to war in the face of the ever-intensifying Nazi army, and the babushki who assaulted the tanks with their purses.

Oh, and the very busy propaganda artists. I can't even imagine all the hand cramps they must have gotten...

My own experience with Russian propaganda was a bit milder:
Absinthe - The only substance that will make cute 50s pin-ups in bathing suits on clean, clear beaches, reach out to scrawny Russian twenty-somethings and ask "хочешь?" That's right, "you want this? Big boy? Hmmm?"
She desperately needs to define "this."

Moving on.




My experience with Victory Day, however, was not necessarily mild. Even in St. Petersburg, along Nevskii Prospekt, the parades were enormous, and became out of control. A drunk woman assaulted our guide because he looked Jewish, we kept tight-lipped with our English, and all public transit shut down for the day, so we walked across the city to our hotel. Oh, and we caught Anthrax.

So, if you know anyone in Russia, send them something positive today. Here's a sample script that will still make it through meticulous Russian censors:



Dear Liza,

I hear today is Victory Day in Russia! Put your hands in the air, it always feels good. Do a little dance for Den' Pobedi! I hope your day passes uneventfully. I know most people will be at the parades, but because of your debilitating social anxiety that in no way affects you unless you are in crowds of more than 1 million, maybe you should STAY INSIDE TODAY. I love Russian things in this order: Putin, Victory Day, Babushki and You.

Love,
Masha

P.S. Wish I was there with you! I miss Russia! Russia is so great! Are you eating blini and sausage and using gasoline every day, like I recommended?