Exeter Yaroslavl Twinning Association

Ceremony to Commemorate End of WWII - London 3 September 2021

3 September 2021, representatives of the Russian community in Great Britain, Russian and British twin cities and the Russian Embassy, London took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soviet War Memorial, commemorating the 76th anniversary of the end of WWII. Peter Barker represented the friendship between Exeter and Yaroslavl

 

The Soviet War Memorial in London is located in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, which surrounds the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ. The Memorial was unveiled on 9 May 1999 by UK Defence Secretary George Robertson MP and Russian Ambassador HE Yuri Fokin.

 

The bronze sculpture “Sorrowful” measures 3.5m high. The semi-abstract figure holds aloft a bell which will forever remain silent in memory of those who perished in World War II. The sculptor was Sergei Shcherbakov from Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad).

 

After the ceremony participants visited the Russian Orthodox Cathedral at Kensington, London for prayers and lighting candles.

 

They concluded the day with a meal at Mari Venna, Russian restaurant, near the cathedral. Prince William celebrated his birthday at this restaurant.

 

Further similar events will be planned in forthcoming months. Please look out for announcements.

 

Video of the ceremony made by the Russian Embassy London here.

 

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