Youthful explorers join "Rzew Memorial Vigil" in Yakutia
In the heart of Russia, a group of high school students from Namsky ulus of Yakutia recently took part in a significant military-patriotic initiative. This year marked their first participation in the shift, which was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The project, known as "Memory Watch. Rzhev - Far East," is an All-Russian endeavour aimed at preserving and promoting the historical memory of World War II events, particularly the Battles of Rzhev and their connection to the Far Eastern regions of Russia.
The students spent two weeks working at battlefields, demonstrating strength of spirit, team cohesion, and lively interest in the cause. Their mission was to restore the names of nameless soldiers and touch history with their hands and hearts.
The solemn closing ceremony of the fifth Far Eastern shift took place on the territory of the military-patriotic camp named after Hero of the Soviet Union Fedor Matveyevich Okhlopkov in the Rzhevsky district of Tver region. The camp, named after a celebrated Soviet sniper and Hero of the Soviet Union, adds symbolic weight to the initiative, underscoring the importance of individual heroism and sacrifice in Russia’s military history.
This project serves as a platform for fostering patriotic education, honouring veterans and heroes, and linking historical remembrance across Russian regions, with a special emphasis on the role of the Far East. The shift represented a continuation and expansion of these commemorative and educational activities, bringing together young participants from the Far East to engage in activities that deepen their understanding of World War II history related to Rzhev.
The shift aimed to contribute to the development of twinning ties with Rzhevsky district. More than 100 students from 12 universities and colleges of the Far East and new regions of Russia participated, united in their goal to keep, protect, and defend the Memory Watch.
Andrei Fedotov, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to the President of the Russian Federation, addressed the young people with a welcoming speech during the ceremony. In his speech, he emphasised that the war is not over until the last soldier is buried. The students' work ensures that no military grave will be forgotten.
The main Memory Watch, according to the speech, resides in the hearts of the participants. As they return to their homes, they carry with them the spirit of heroism and patriotism exemplified by Okhlopkov and other war heroes, serving as a personal front and the continuation of the battle that their ancestors fought.
- The high school students from Namsky ulus of Yakutia, who recently participated in the military-patriotic initiative, utilized their experience to promote personal growth and contribute to their education on self-development, focusing on the importance of historical events such as World War II.
- Despite the project being primarily associated with war and conflicts, the "Memory Watch. Rzhev - Far East" initiative also serves as a tool for fostering political awareness among the youth, encouraging them to honor veterans and heroes, and linking historical remembrance across Russian regions, including general news and current affairs.
- As ambassadors of the Memory Watch, these students will take with them the spirit of heroism and patriotism they experienced during the shift, aiming to further their education in areas such as education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and politics, all while maintaining the memory of their ancestors who fought in World War II.
