Editorial: the victory day growing dim

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

To commemorate end of WW2 battles in Europe, every nation – including Ukraine on May 8^th and Russia on May 9^th – attributed its interpretation as organisers saw fit.

In Russia, what caught the eye was the grandiose Moscow parade with military machines wiped clean of any speck of dust and tyres washed spotless. The shiny pieces of iron did come across as a bit of a show, the kind the Soviet Army practiced by painting grass green.

Proudly, the Red Square was crossed by guest units from China, India and other places. With superior sincerity, simple people had showed up with pictures of grandfathers – who fought in the war.

In Ukraine, victims of war were commemorated with poppy blossoms while not escaping the fact that the nations is in war again, the situation thus demanding bravery parallel to 1941–1945.

As observed in interview to Postimees by US history professor Timothy Snyder, author of «Bloodlands» digging into atrocities of the war in East-Europe, the 70^th anniversary of WW2 battles’ end in Europe is mostly for the generation raised up in 1970ies: these can remember their grandparents. This is understood: during the war, the latter were adults and thus participators of the events.

The professor thinks the 75^th anniversary might still be commemorated, while the 90^th – in 2035 – perhaps not like this anymore. By then, the gap in time has grown too gaping, and the active generation would then be forced to remember great-grandparents – people most of them never knew.

So this is what the time does, as the events grow distant, the dimness of history sets over them like a shroud. The details grow vague, especially those never written. Items passed down in families turn into trinkets, like ancient coins sold to the antique store.

What remains is the history written and collected, and naturally any nation would feature its bright spots or time slots never totally forgotten as long as at least the memory of the nation itself remains.

Thus, no reason for us in Estonia to look down at those who, pursuant to lifelong tradition, preferred peaceful celebration of Victory Day to Europe Day. Sure, for many of us the day does come with a taste somewhat alien – but then we do have some among us who celebrate witches/warlocks on Halloween while others shrug the stuff off at best.

Once again, WW2 themes are behind us. The more reason to have joyfully celebrated Mother’s Day – an event with no controversies attached, try as you may.