Mladjan Djordjevic: “Meeting on the Elbe – a Herald of All Future Meetings”

Mladjan Djordjevic, member of the General Council of the Eurasian Peoples’  Assembly, founder of the Serbian Patriotic organizations “Our Serbia” and “Serbian code” (Serbia), sent a greeting to the participants of the International teleconference “Meeting on the Elbe 75”.

- I am glad to welcome you from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is a great honor for me to be with you today when we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the historic meeting of Soviet and American soldiers at the Elbe River in such a specific way. The events we are talking about are filled with symbolism and historical messages that can inspire future generations. The victorious end of the Second World War was just days away. The victory in the most terrible war that has ever been waged in the history of mankind was achieved thanks to the weapons and heroic hearts of the allies - the Red army, the liberation movement of partisans, illegal resistance movements throughout Europe, who united in a single anti – fascist coalition as never before.

The Yugoslav people's liberation war, waged by the Serbs and other Yugoslav peoples during the Second World War, is an integral part of this coalition of allies. The lives of the best and bravest were laid on the altar of this magnificent Victory. There have been many great and small victories and battles, from East to West, from Northern to southern Europe, and beyond our continent.

The 75th anniversary of the Victory is marked in its own way in each country of the anti-fascist coalition. We know that of all the Victory Day celebrations around the world, the most notable were always on the territory of Russia and a number of CIS countries, former republics of the Soviet Union. This is no accident. The USSR and the Soviet people made a decisive contribution to the victory over fascism, and there is not a single family that would not give at least one fighter for this victory.

The legendary meeting on the Elbe River in the city of Torgau took place after two allied armies divided the German army into two parts. This was the best sign of the beginning of the end of the Nazi regime. And just as the dialogue between the great powers was established and maintained then, so it is necessary in our time. The meeting of Soviet and American soldiers was a source of inspiration for many artists in their works, monuments, books, stories, films.  The photo of two young soldiers in a tight embrace remains a source of inspiration for mutual understanding between people. There are monuments testifying to this meeting in Russia, the United States, and many other countries of the world.

The meeting on the Elbe is an example for today and future generations. It can be imitated. Nations and States can learn from this example. The meeting on the Elbe is a symbol of the allied relations of the great powers, the need to live in peace and understanding, to live together. The message of this meeting is that connections between people always exist, even when the bridges between them are narrow or damaged, if there is good will and a desire to follow the path of trust. The meeting on the Elbe can serve as a herald of all future meetings. Then the words were written: “East meets West.”  These words symbolize the historic meeting of the allies and the desire to remain allies. Thanks to the millions of victims of all sides who died in the fight against fascism, thanks to the immeasurable contribution of the Soviet people in the Second World War, we have already been living freely for 75 years. Glory to all those who died for our freedom!

All materials of the International teleconference “Meeting on the Elbe 75”