Victory Day remains the most significant holiday for Russians, according to a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM), which involved 1,600 adults from all regions of the country.
The survey found that 61% of Russians consider Victory Day to be their most important holiday.
Next year, Russia will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. With the passing of those who participated in the war, perceptions of the significance of May 9th are evolving. Over the past 20 years, Russians have increasingly discussed Victory Day.
The survey revealed that 89% of respondents talk about the WWII within their families, and only 10% of Russians seldom have such discussions. Additionally, 45% of respondents indicated that they know many details about their relatives who fought against the Germans, from family stories and archives. About 33% acknowledged that they have relatives who participated in the war, but they are not familiar with the details.
A majority, 67% of those surveyed, mentioned that the victory in the Great Patriotic War was the most significant in Russian history, while 25% view May 9th as a day of remembrance and mourning, recalling that over 10 million compatriots died during the war.
If Russians were to tell their children or grandchildren about the victory over the fascists, 15% would first talk about how their relatives fought—this option has become less common than in 2019, when it was 24%. Additionally, 10% of respondents said they would tell the story of the war and the victory itself.
Along with specific WWII events like the Siege of Leningrad (13%), the Battle of Stalingrad (12%), and the Battle of Kursk (7%), Russians would also share stories about the heroism and feats of the homeland’s defenders (13%), the role of patriotism (6%), and the challenging times people endured (5%).
Elderly citizens are more likely to talk about the war through stories of those who experienced those terrible events (21-22% of people born before 1967). Younger Russians, on the other hand, would focus on the history of the war (12-15% among Zoomers and Millennials) and the heroism of the people (15% among Zoomers).
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