Government officials on May 9 laid flowers at the memorial complex “Eternity” in Chisinau, commemorating thus the heroes killed in battle during World War II. The event involved members of the Cabinet and of the diplomatic corps, war veterans and guests and residents of Chisinau, IPN reports.
President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti, Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu and Prime Minister Pavel Filip laid flowers near the “Eternal Fire” and then observed a moment’s silence in memory of the heroes killed in battle. The guard of honor fired three salvoes and a metronome was set off.
The Speaker said that May 9 is an important day that is related to history and memory. “Our country also paid dear, with human lives and sacrifice, and it is very important to remember and not to forget those events. These are pages of history that must be recollected during such events as the May 9 celebrations,” stated Andrian Candu.
In his message on the occasion of May 9, the Prime Minister says that this year Europe Day and Victory Day and the heroes killed in the patriotic war are celebrated and remembered simultaneously with Low Sunday. “Today we remember with gratitude the heroes of this country, who struggled for the country’s independence. We also remember with piety the dear persons who are no longer near us and look with confidence and hope to our way to a better future in Europe,” reads the message of Pavel Filip.
The German Instrument of Surrender ended World War II in Europe. The definitive text was signed in Karlshorst, Berlin on the night of May 8, 1945 by representatives of the three armed services of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht and the Allied Expeditionary Force together with the Supreme High Command of the Red Army. An earlier version of the text had been signed in a ceremony in Reims in the early hours of May 7, 1945. In the West, May 8 is known as Victory in Europe Day; whereas in post-Soviet states the Victory Day is celebrated on May 9, since the definitive signing occurred after midnight Moscow time. The war in Asia continued until the surrender of Japan, with the relevant documents being signed on September 2, 1945.
