The anniversary campaign "Gardens of Memory" has started in Kirov

      The Kirov region has become a pioneer of the large-scale patriotic project "Gardens of Memory". The idea of the Seleznikha village school students, which originated in 2015, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, quickly found a response throughout the country. This was made possible thanks to the support of Oleg Valenchuk, a State Duma deputy and chairman of the Russian Horticultural Union.

      It is symbolic that the first apple trees, planted 10 years ago, bloom all over the Vyatka land and delight with ruddy apples. Over the years, over 22,000 trees have been planted in the Kirov region alone, with seedlings provided by the Union of Horticulturists of Russia. Apple alleys decorated school grounds and territories of higher educational institutions, playgrounds near kindergartens and cultural centers, squares and parks. And recently, Memorial Gardens have begun to appear in the courtyards of apartment buildings.

      The first Memorial Garden this year was laid by residents of house No. 4 on Ekaterina Kochkina Street in Kirov. The residents came out with whole families, with their grandparents and, of course, with their children.

      – Many thanks to the Union of Gardeners and Oleg Valenchuk personally for helping to preserve the memory and pass it on to the next generation, – said Lyudmila Mamontova, Chairman of the House Council. – May our Vyatka land bloom, and the Gardens of Memory bloom in the spring for many, many years. We will always remember the soldiers who allowed us to live with dignity in a free country.

      Unfortunately, modern children are already deprived of the opportunity to hear first-hand stories about the Great Patriotic War. There are fewer and fewer living witnesses to those tragic events. Therefore, initiatives such as the Immortal Regiment and the Gardens of Memory are especially important today so that the connection between generations is not interrupted.

      –Gardens of Memory are a movement that has no time limits," said Oleg Valenchuk, Chairman of the Russian Horticultural Union. – The memory of the feat of our ancestors will live forever, passed down from generation to generation. Every tree planted is a symbol of rebirth, a vivid reminder of the price of freedom and independence, of the courage, perseverance and self–sacrifice of our people. And, of course, today it is more important than ever that we are all united, which means we are ready to give a stern rebuff to any enemy who dares to take a swing at our sacred values.

      In April and May alone, more than 2.5 thousand apple and lilac seedlings will be planted in the Kirov region. By the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, over 200 solemn events are planned to lay gardens and alleys with the participation of veterans and schoolchildren. Anyone who wants to contribute to the preservation of historical memory can join this initiative.