site.btaTaraclia Marks May 9

The Moldovan city of Taraclia, which has a predominantly Bulgarian population, marked the 78th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War on Tuesday. Hundreds of people paid floral tributes at the memorial to nurse Maia Serebreac, who fought for Moldova's liberation from fascism in 1941-1944. Priests from the St George Church chanted a memorial service for the war victims. Meanwhile, an Immortal Regiment march and a Living Memory music and literary programme took place. The authorities of the city and the region addressed those gathered.

Taraclia Region Chairman Ivan Paslar recalled that some 400,000 Moldovan citizens fought in the Red Army, 250,000 were decorated and 19 received the Hero of the Soviet Union Award. "There were 646 people from Taraclia Region among them. We will always respect and cherish the feats of the veterans of the front, the workers of the rear who raised the country from ashes and ruins. Taraclia Region has only one living veteran of the labour front, Sergei Kharin, a Taraclia resident, whom we wish health and a long life. Victory Day is dear to all of us. The memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War lives for ever!" said Paslar.

The people of Taraclia held a minute of silence for all who died during the Great Patriotic War.

"At present, when we are close to the beginning of a new world war, we must remember what happened in the past and never forget how our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were victorious. I am very glad that there are many young people here today," Mayor Veaceslav Lupov said.