The ‘Immortal Regiment’ in London

This year, the ‘Immortal Regiment’ took to the streets of London for the first time. The number of people attending the Victory Day event was astonishing, even for the Russian Gap team, and it’s not the first time we have seen a big Russian event in London. If I had to guess, I would say there were at least a thousand people. Perhaps less, but the lines of people just kept going and going. It seemed as if Trafalgar Square, where the regiment gathered its troops, was entirely populated by Russians. And rising above them were the portraits of relatives who, decades ago, defended the world against war.

The march began by the National Gallery and proceeded along Whitehall, past Downing Street, through Parliament Square, alongside Parliament and Big Ben. Quite a lot of children took part. The ambassador of Russia to the United Kingdom, Alexandr Yakovenko, marched in the first row, although the event was organised by the Russian Association of Psychologists in the UK, rather than the embassy.

Wartime songs were sung and there was many a ‘Hurrah!’ Tourists with cameras stopped to take pictures and asked what was going on. Honestly, it was unbelievable. Take a look at Russian Gap’s photo report. And of course, we wish you a happy Victory Day!