A festive reception was held in central Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Sunday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The event, organized by the Russian Consulate General in Erbil, featured a concert and a fireworks display.
The venue—located on the grounds of a local hotel—was illuminated with a projection of the official logo for the 80th anniversary, symbolizing the unbreakable spirit of the Soviet people.
“World War II, known to the Soviet people as the Great Patriotic War, brought unimaginable suffering, grief, and loss. To forget it would be a crime against morality and humanity. The modern world must remember the sacrifice of the Soviet people,” said Russia’s Consul General in Erbil, Maksim Rubin, during his address. He also highlighted the contribution of Soviet Kurds, noting that thousands fought in the Red Army, and three were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union—the USSR’s highest honor.
Guests at the event observed a moment of silence in memory of all the victims and heroes of the war. Among the attendees were Russian expatriates as well as representatives of the Kurdish political elite, including members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Syrian Kurdish political figures were also present.
Following the official speeches, the Kurdish Symphony Orchestra performed wartime songs in an open-air concert. The evening concluded with a celebratory fireworks display that lit up the skies over downtown Erbil.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg)/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS