A former Soviet Army soldier who lost his grandfather and seven other relatives during the Second World War has arranged a cultural film screening in Scotland to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Vitaly Mironov, 56, director of the Scottish Culture Centre in Moscow, has arranged for the premiere of the Russian documentary ‘The Allies: With Belief and Faith’ to be screened at the Summerhall Theatre in Edinburgh on June 8.
The film comprises interviews with British and Russian veterans of the Second World War and is being screened to highlight the “many sacrifices” made by all sides during the conflict.
However, Mr Mironov, a father-of-three, who is married to a former Russian ballerina, says he feels the sacrifices made by 27 million Russians during the war are often “overlooked” by western commentators, and he is “saddened” by this.
A believer in strengthening centuries-old cultural links between Scotland and Russia, Mr Mironov, who recently made cultural visits to Dundee and Aberdeen, believes that by stretching out the hand of friendship, the common hardships of the past can help strengthen the desire for a peaceful future across Europe.
“I am looking forward to bringing this film to Scotland,” Mr Mironov said.
“But at the same time there is a sad reason why I’m doing it now. You see, there will be a huge celebration of D-Day in June all over Europe and especially in Normandy in France and in Great Britain, of course.
“The main participant of all the events during this celebration is the USA. Lots of countries were invited as a guests, except one – Russia.
“So it looks like Russia(USSR) didn’t take part in the Second World War and never won that.
“That’s why I personally want to do what I can to do – just to remind to people here in the west, that we Russians laid on the altar of our common victory the lives of 27 million of our people, including my grandfather and seven more relatives which can never be forgotten by anyone.
“Thus, organizing the screening of this film, I want to make my own contribution to the memory of all British, Russians, Americans and other peoples who gave their lives for our lives and freedom. It will be a big event with many guests from all over Scotland.”
*The 60-minute multi-award winning Russian documentary ‘The Allies: With Belief and Faith’ was directed by Sergey Zaitsev and released in 2010.
Limited numbers of free tickets for the 7 pm screening on June 8 are available via www.summerhall.co.uk
