Victory Waltz

The event is largely organised by the students themselves, with assistance from the University Veterans Association, and the University Labour Veterans Association. The performance started with the Victory Fanfare performed by the Rector's Orchestra. Then the students re-enacted events in the war, focusing on the feats of courage by ordinary Soviet citizens. After this, they expressed their gratitude to the veterans, and handed out flowers. In turn, Pyotr Konyayev, a member of both Veterans Associations, gave a speech about the importance of the Soviet victory for the whole world. When Dr Svetlana Ostrikova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, stepped onto the podium, she chose to talk about the symbolism of St George as an expression of patriotism, and the music that was played in those years. To round off the commemoration, students performed choreographed dances popular in the war years, and then danced with the veterans until the music stopped.