Liberation Day, Victory Day. The end of World War II in Europe and the victory over National Socialism has many definitions. In some countries such as France and the Slovakia is National holidayin Germany is Memorial Day. After twelve years of barbaric Nazi rule, nearly six years of war, 60 million dead and six million Jews systematically murdered, Nazi Germany capitulated on May 8 and the war ended.
The perpetrators entered into different capitulation agreements and that is why the end of the war is celebrated on different days. General Alfred Yodl, commander of the Wehrmacht forces, signed a capitulation pact with the Western powers in Reims, France on the night of 6 to 7 May 1945. It entered into force on 8 May 1945 at 11:01 pm.
THE Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin he wanted to do the same in his own sphere of influence. Her night May 9th The Brigadier General Wilhelm Keitel signed the relevant capitulation agreement in the Soviet sector of Berlin. For this reason, Russia traditionally celebrates the anniversary on May 9. In Netherlandsthe end of the German Occupation is celebrated until 5th of May.
Defeat and release at the same time
THE Germanythe country that sowed the catastrophe, was slow to compromise on May 8th. At first no one wanted to look back. Day symbolized defeat and liberation at the same time. The newly established post-war German Democratic Republic followed the Soviet path and saw itself as an anti-fascist successor state, which was not responsible for Nazi Germany. For a few years, May 8th was even an official holiday.
In the Federal Republic of Germany, Liberation Day was foreign to the world. THE Conrad Adenauer, the first Federal Chancellor, He is said to have pushed for the passage of the country’s new Constitution on the night of May 8, 1949. In 2020, May 8 was established as an official holiday.
In Russiathe “Victory Day”, as it has been known for decades, it was a day of mourning. The Soviet Union lost millions of citizens in World War II and the day was meant to be a reminder of that, but that has changed in recent years. President Vladimir Putin is increasingly using this day for domestic political purposes. For example, the pompous military parades were repeated under Putin on May 9.
May 9 for today’s Russia
For weeks there have been estimates that the Putin could use this year May 9th for to step up propaganda in war against Ukraine. THE Christian Democrat Roderick Kizevet, A foreign policy expert fears a general mobilization by which Putin could recruit tens of thousands of new troops. The Ukrainian secret services warn that Russia may plan a military parade in occupied Mariupol.
In this way the 9th of May could become a propaganda tool in Russia instead of a day of remembrance. Ukrainians and Russians, at least in Western countries, are trying to deal with it differently. A joint association called for events and gatherings in Berlin in order to celebrate the day responsibly.
The Carlshorst Museum also plans memorial events. It is the place where, in the last hours of May 8, 1945, the capitulation agreement was signed. The museum decided a few days ago to abandon its former name which was a German-Russian Museum. Now only the Ukrainian flag is waving in front of the entrance.
DW / Lisa Henel / Editor: Maria Rigoutsou
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