Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 8 May visited Victory Park in Tashkent and took part in a commemorative ceremony on the occasion of the Remembrance and Honor Day, whic is marked on 9 May, the press service of the head of state said.
“80 years have passed since the end of the World War II. Despite the decades that have passed since that time, the history, suffering and challenges that it had brought are not forgotten. On the contrary, the horrors of war remind us of the value of peace and tranquility. The Day of Remembrance and Honors celebrated on 9 May brings this deep meaning with it,” the statement said.
The head of state laid a wreath at the Ode to Resilience monument — a symbol of the suffering, hardship, courage and losses endured by the people of Uzbekistan during the war.
According to archival data, nearly 2 million people out of the republic’s total population of 6.8 million took part in the battles against fascism. About 540,000 were killed, 158,000 went missing, more than 50,000 died in concentration camps and over 60,000 returned from the front with disabilities.
“The valor of Uzbekistani soldiers and officers is evidenced by the fact that 214,000 of them were awarded battle orders and medals,” the statement noted.
From the Uzbek SSR, massive volumes of equipment, weapons, clothing and food were sent to the frontlines. Despite difficult conditions, the people of Uzbekistan warmly welcomed about 1.5 million evacuees from combat zones, including 250,000 orphans.
“All of this is a record of true courage and heroism. We have the right to be proud of our courageous people who contributed to such hard and fine Victory. This heroism cannot be forgotten, these facts must be brought to the youth. This is especially important in the current turbulent times. Each one of us shall be ready to protect the Motherland every day,” president Mirziyoyev emphasized.
The president also viewed the new Light of Memory composition installed in the park. It is dedicated to the heroism of Uzbekistanis who fought on the front and worked on the home front. The monument is designed in the form of two soaring birds, symbolizing the continuity of generations. Their wings resemble envelopes with letters from the battlefields.
Through a QR code on the monument, visitors can learn about the complex and the war heroes, as well as download the book Light of Memory.
