The Union of Russian Youth of Georgia has begun holding Open Peace Lessons devoted to the events of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The project is being implemented with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. The organizers of these events are Dmitry Bregvadze, deputy head of the Union of Russian Youth of Georgia, and Mikhail Elizbarashvili, head of the press service of the Center for Legal Support of Russian Compatriots of Georgia.
Two lessons have been held for high school students of the Tbilisi schools Intellect and Dea. The lessons were led by Mikhail Aidinov, chairman of the Union of Russian-Speaking Journalists of Georgia. He spoke in part about the difficult and painful path to victory and why Victory Day is celebrated on May 9. The high school students actively took part in the discussion and shared stories passed along from their grandmothers and grandfathers.
Another Open Peace Lesson was held at Public School No.3 in Rustavi. Assistance in the organization of this lesson was provided by Tamara Khubulava, an activist of the Union of Russian Youth of Georgia, and the regional Russian society Rodnik (chaired by Vera Kuznetsova). Veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War attended the lesson to share their stories and recollection with the schoolchildren.
Nina Petrovna Ryabova, (b.1923) spoke about how she volunteered to go to the front and worked as a telephone operator and plane-spotter. She was responsible for determining whether incoming planes were friend or foe. By the sound of the airplane’s motor it was possible to approximate the altitude of the airplane. Her most tragic memory was witnessing a Soviet pilot die in aerial combat.
Raisa Ivanovna Doldyrina (b.1927) shared his recollections of how in 1941 children starting at 13 years of age were recruited to work in the factories. At 14 years of age Raisa worked at a factory which manufactured airplane parts.
Leonid Ivanovich Govor (b.1937) survived the horrible hungry years of the Siege of Leningrad. He told of how shells would hit residential buildings. After a serious illness in 1946 Leonid was sent to the south to recuperate, which is how he ended up in Tbilisi.
“The war did not leave on family unaffected. Every family has relatives who fought for and protected the Motherland. We must honor and remember the price which was paid for Victory,” said Vera Kuznetsova, head of Rodnik.
After hearing the stories of the veterans, the schoolchildren then read verse dedicated to Victory Day.
In the near future the activists of the Union of Russian Youth of Georgia will organize Open Peace Lessons dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War for high school students in the town of Bolnisi, Dmanisi and Marneuli.
Union of Russian Youth of Georgia
