In the Pechenga-Kirkenes operation conducted in the north of Norway from October to November 1944, Soviet troops made several offensive operations. The battle for Kirkenes ended at 25th of October, at 9 am, when parts of the Soviet Army entered the town.
Many people had gathered by the monument of the Russian Soldier in Kirkenes to commemorate the 67 anniversary of the liberation (Photo: Sergey Andaykin)
The event begun in second half of the day. The small demonstration peacefully going to a monument of the Soviet soldier with flowers in their hands, turned into a large procession. At the meeting not only ordinary citizens were present, but also guests of honor: General Consul of Russia in Kirkenes Igor Bulay, representatives of the administration of the Pechenga municipality, veterans’ organization from Russia and Norway and also mayor of Kirkenes Linda Randal.
- This monument is a symbol of gratitude to the brave Soviet soldiers, as well as a symbol of the social structure, which in post-war years has embodied our society, - said Linda Randal in her speech. - 27 million people died during the Second World War and there is no family left unaffected by this event.
Among those gathered at the meeting were not only military personnel from Norway but also officers of the Russian army. Among the songs performed by the Norwegian Choir “Crescendo”, was the well-known Russian “Katyusha”, which sounded among Russian soldiers in far 1944.
- For most of the people who are present here, the events we are talking about is a part of history, said Igor Bulay, - But they are also people’s memories and it is good that they are passed from one generation to the other, he added.
-There are good relations between Russia and Norway and we will do everything that we can to continue these contacts in the future, the Russian General Consul said.
Written by Sergey Andaykin
