On May 9, 2025, Novosibirsk celebrated Victory Day with a large-scale program that spanned key locations throughout the city, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
The day kicked off at 6:00 AM with the event titled "And the City Learned About the Victory" at the government building on Sverdlov Square. This event was a poignant reminder of the joyful announcement made on May 9, 1945, when the news of the victory spread across the country.
Participants dressed in 1940s costumes helped recreate the atmosphere of that historic time. Among those present was Governor Andrei Travnikov, who joined hundreds of residents in honoring the day. The announcement of the end of the war was made by Levitan at 6:00 AM, and shortly thereafter, M.V. Kulagin, the secretary of the Novosibirsk Regional Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), delivered a congratulatory speech from the balcony of the Regional Executive Committee.
"Dear comrades, friends, grandfathers, fathers, mothers, sisters, wives, children, heroic workers, glorious Siberians! On this unforgettable historic day, we congratulate you on the victory and firmly shake your hands, kiss each of you, wishing happiness, long years of life, and success in work for the good of our glorious Motherland! Long live our mighty Soviet Motherland! Long live the great Soviet people, the victorious nation!" Kulagin proclaimed, capturing the spirit of the day.
As the morning progressed, the celebrations continued with various activities. At 7:00 AM, the Mayakovsky cinema on Krasny Prospekt began free screenings of patriotic films, which lasted until 3:00 PM. At 9:00 AM, a flower-laying ceremony at the bust of Marshal of Aviation Alexander Pokryshkin took place on Sverdlov Square, followed by a military parade at Lenin Square at 10:00 AM, featuring troops from the Novosibirsk garrison.
The Immortal Regiment procession, a significant part of the Victory Day celebrations, commenced at 10:45 AM. Participants carrying portraits of their ancestors marched from Oktyabrskaya Magistral to Lenin Square, symbolizing the memory of those who fought in the war.
In the afternoon, starting at 11:00 AM, Pervomaisky Square hosted an interactive program titled "The Great Memory of the Great Victory." At 12:30 PM, a solemn rally with the laying of wreaths at the Eternal Flame was held at the Monument of Glory, paying tribute to the sacrifices made during the war.
After the parade, at 1:45 PM, the 78th Pokryshkin memorial athletics relay race began on Lenin Square, marking one of the oldest sporting events in the city, dedicated this year to the 80th anniversary of the victory.
The evening festivities included concerts that started at 6:00 PM on both Lenin Square and Mikhailovskaya Embankment, bringing together the community in celebration. At 9:40 PM, the city was illuminated by the "Lights of Victory" event, featuring light installations, video projections, and theatrical performances at key locations, including Lenin Square and the Monument of Glory.
At 9:50 PM, a spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky over the city center, followed by an artillery salute at 10:00 PM on the Ob embankment, marking the end of the day's celebrations.
The military parade, a highlight of the day, took place in the center of Novosibirsk at Lenin Square. It was opened by the Siberian Cadet Corps and included notable historical elements, such as distinguished groups of cadets from the Novosibirsk Higher Military Institute of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, who carried standards representing the decisive stages of the Great Patriotic War.
Servicemen from various branches, including the Central Military District, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Federal Penitentiary Service, participated in the solemn march. A notable addition to this year’s parade was the participation of students specializing in law enforcement from the Novosibirsk Technical School named after Kosygin.
In total, around 2,500 individuals and over 30 units of military equipment took part in the parade. The legendary T-34 tank, known as the "Novosibirsk Collective Farmer," traditionally led the mechanized column. This year, the column also featured the BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicle and the BRM-1KM reconnaissance vehicle, both equipped with protection against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Other military hardware displayed included armored vehicles such as the "Tiger," anti-sabotage vehicles "Taifun-M," and various models of armored personnel carriers. The parade also showcased mobile launchers from the "Yars" missile system and radio relay stations.
After a 30-year hiatus, the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School included a demonstration performance by cadets, showcasing various combat techniques with carbines, adding a unique element to this year’s event.
The day concluded with the symbolic carrying of an enlarged copy of the Victory Banner across Lenin Square, followed by the Immortal Regiment procession, which continued the spirit of remembrance and honor for those who fought for freedom.
Victory Day in Novosibirsk was not just a celebration; it was a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and bravery of those who sacrificed so much. The events throughout the day united the community in remembrance and gratitude, reflecting the enduring legacy of the Great Victory.
