V is for Victory

There was a closed parade in Kuibuishev Square yesterday morning. Following the parade, they served porridge to the veterans and eventually to the public. I also thought it was a random event, but it follows tradition. Notice the little girl's hair ribbons. These were part of girls' school uniforms back in the soviet times.

Yesterday was a huge celebration for all of Russia. Russians mark the 9th of May to celebrate the day they kicked the Axis Powers' butts...and they are quite proud of it. Yesterday, the entire city was outside celebrating (and many were drinking, of course). Consider the celebration as big as the American Independence Day and New Orlean's Bourbon Street (but local drunks, rather than drunk tourists). The feeling of pride and patriotism was contagious.

Square of Glory. It was an appropriate choice to hold celebratory events here.

At the Square of Glory, there's a biiiiiiig, steep hill where they had a show. They did a reenactment-esque performance of the war's affect on Russian society. At the end, the performers were dancing the stereotypical Russian dance. Stereotype confirmed! My friend said it's true, Russians do indeed dance like that...perhaps with less grace, but still...

Behind the Square of Glory was the performance. If you look closely, the soldiers' uniforms really look like those guys in Star Wars.

Below: Along the river embankment, there was a small concert.
A capoeira group in Samara. Seeing their flexibility and strength inspired me to go home and practice my headstands and backbends (yoga...not capoiera). The downstairs neighbors probably hate me (read: I was unsuccessful with the headstands).

How can you NOT have fun when there's a dancing babushka??

This, dear friends, is my goal in the pursuit of karoke perfection.

It's been illegal for children in the US to play with toys that realistically resemble guns and rifles. Not in Russia. Here, children can play with tanks. This guy just wasn't interested in entertaining children.

Below: Square of Glory

My friend, Lena, places a candle to remember the soldiers who risked their lives to save the country.

People putting flowers at the monument for war heroes.

A small exhibition of propoganda during the war.