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St George Ribbon campaign bonds the nation in WWII remembrance

5 May, 2010 04:34 / Updated 15 years ago

Russia has launched its annual St George ribbon campaign to mark the upcoming 65th anniversary of the victory in World War Two. The ribbon is a symbol of remembrance of those who fought and defeated Nazi Germany.

A tiny piece of fabric with immense meaning – the St George ribbon may be small, but as part of the campaign launched in 2005, it has become a large part of the Russian Victory day celebrations.

In the five years of the campaign, millions of the striped ribbons have been circulating throughout Russia and far beyond, reaching Europe, the Middle East, America and even Australia! This year organizers expect a record demand.

Starting from April 22, Russians may see a particular orange and black striped ribbon appearing on cars, posters, bags, purses and many other places. The ribbon consists of a bicolor pattern, with three black and two orange stripes.

“Once you wear it, you say ‘I remember!’ Remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the victory and say ‘thank you’ to all those still alive,” says campaign co-ordinator Aleksandr Khudyakov.

The war claimed the lives of almost 27 million Soviet citizens, mainly civilians, and the 30-centimeter ribbon links a long distance between past and present, unifying generations in remembering a turning point in world history.

A small factory in Central Russia was founded a century ago. During the Second World War, just like many others, this particular enterprise worked for the frontline, producing military uniforms. And just like its workers many years ago, forging victory in these walls, today dozens of others are producing one of its symbols – the St George ribbon. 

“We've made 2,000 kilometers of this ribbon for this year's celebrations! Which is by itself very symbolic, as this is the exact distance between Moscow and Russia's western border from where the Nazis started their invasion and where they were pushed back by the Soviet troops,” says factory worker Oleg Belousov.

The black and orange stripes of the ribbon symbolize the smoke and flames of war. In tsarist Russia, it decorated the Order of St George – the highest possible military award.

“One of the most precious pieces in our historic museum is the St George Star and the Order of St George, the 1st degree. It's a very rare award – over the Order's 200 year history, only 25 of these have ever been given out,” says historian Valery Durov.

Nowadays in Russia, the Order of St George remains the most prestigious military honor.

Since 2000, only nine of them have found their heroes, but the victory colors of the St George ribbon are something anyone can wear, and they do – to show their respect and gratitude to the Second World War heroes.

To learn more about the St George ribbon’s significance, follow the link.

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