Sacred flame burns for 40 years
Published: 08 May, 2007, 14:42
The Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow is the main symbol honouring millions of Russians who died in WW2. It was lit on May 8, forty years ago, to burn forever.
An armoured vehicle carrying the flame set out for Moscow from Leningrad’s Field of Mars on May 6, 1967. The journey normally takes less than a day – but not this time. Thousands of people lined the road between the two cities, commemorating the millions of their compatriots who never returned from the war.On May 8, the flame reached its destination near Red Square.The honour of carrying the torch was given to Aleksey Maresyev. The heroic pilot lost both feet in the war but continued to fly and fight against the Nazis. Maresyev handed the torch to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Rumour says Brezhnev slipped when walking to the memorial, although the TV didn't show it. But millions of Soviet viewers saw the inscription in gold: Your Name Is Unknown, Your Feat Is Immortal.The TV screens across the country went silent for a minute.
08.05.2007, 10:21
No gas failure to Europe: GazpromRussian oil giant Gazprom says an explosion on one of Russia's gas pipelines through Ukraine, has not affected supplies to the EU. Ukraine's Emergencies Ministry says gas bound for Europe is being transported via another route. |
08.05.2007, 15:54
WW2 friendship survives against the oddsThe battles of WW2 produced not only acts of heroism but also great friendships. Russian soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with Americans. And in spite of the distance, some of them still keep contact with each other. |
