Prominent Russian and foreign celebrities will commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe at a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall on May 10.
The concert aims to mark the end of WWII in Europe and remind the audience of huge contribution the Soviet Union and its allies-Great Britain and the US- made in the victory over fascism. While a full line up is still to be announced, there will be music performances from the world-renowned Alexandrov Red Army Choir, Russia’s prominent singers Iosif Kobzon, Tamara Gverdtsiteli, Alexander Marshall and Nadezhda Babkina.
Russia’s Ambassador to London, Yuri Fedotov, comments on the scheduled concert at Royal Albert Hall: “We expect the concert at Royal Albert Hall on May 10 to mark the climax of celebrations. Apart from Russian stars, the program will probably feature some British names.”
It has been announced already that Ronnie Wood and Jethro Tull will join the concert. Jethro Tull will even sing together with the Alexandrov Choir. The program of the concert will features some WWII chronicles and many more-the organizers promise plenty of surprise. WWII veterans from all over Britain, from the US and from Russia will make the core of the audience at Royal Albert Hall.
The VE Day Concert will raise money for the British Red Cross to symbolize Russia’s gratitude to this organization for its support to the Soviet Union during the war years and after. In the autumn of 1941 a wife of then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Clementine, established a Red Cross foundation to support Russia. In 1941-1945 the foundation raised 7 million pounds in donations. The money was spent on medical equipment that was handed over to Red Cross in the Soviet Union. In spring of 1945 Clementine Churchill visited the Soviet Union and supervised humanitarian and medical assistance.
The concert at Royal Albert Hall will be only a part of large-scale celebrations planned in Great Britain in view of the 65th anniversary of victory. In late March 13 British veterans, the participants of the famous Arctic convoys, received “65th years of Victory” medals during a special ceremony on board the legendary Belfast cruiser. The Belfast participated in Arctic convoys that provided vital lend-lease supplies to the Soviet ports of Arkhangelsk and Murmansk. A few more award-giving ceremonies are planned in various British cities in the forthcoming months.
All solemn events marking the 65th anniversary of Victory in Europe, both in Russia and in the UK, should demonstrate that WWII was not only Soviet, British, American or whatsoever - it was a common war against fascism. We must always keep memory of all those who died during that war and respect the living veterans.
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