Young people, Labor Heroes and veterans of the Great Patriotic War gathered in St. Petersburg at the site of the XVII International Forum «The Senior Generation». The participants of the meeting discussed what can unite everyone, regardless of age: family ties, love of work and dedication to the Motherland.

 

The «Meeting of three Generations» was organized by the St. Petersburg Public Organization of Veterans (Pensioners, Disabled People) of War, Labor, the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

The chairman of the organization, Vasily Volobuyev, addressed the participants.

«Russia is the leading power in the world, and veterans are the spiritual and moral backbone of the country. They did their job by educating the patriots of their country. Historical memory is the most important resource of Russia’s power. It is no coincidence that today we celebrate the significant dates of our victories, and this memory should live on and encourage us to think about our Homeland first, and then about ourselves», he said and wished the youth to set goals and achieve them.

Lyubov Shantseva, a teacher and mentor of youth, told about the book «Stars of Glory» about the Heroes of Labor of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The publication is dedicated to the Heroes of Socialist Labor and the Heroes of Labor of the Russian Federation, mentors and industry leaders. The publication of the book was timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the title Hero of Socialist Labor and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the title Hero of Labor of Russia.

Honored Teacher of the Russian Federation, Honorary Chemist of the USSR Lyudmila Smirnova told the youth about her childhood in Leningrad during the war and post-war period, about admission to a pedagogical institute, about community service in the regions and about the work of a teacher.

«I’m grateful for the life I’ve had!» she shared.

Isai Kuzinets, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Veterans’ Organization, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, a resident of besieged Leningrad, Captain of the First Rank, spoke on the topic «The role of the family in educating true patriots and defenders of the Motherland». He talked about meeting his wife, with whom he recently celebrated the 42nd anniversary of their marriage.

«I am experiencing a fountain of happiness so far! It is important to choose such a fate! You should choose not beauty, but a friend who thinks in the same direction with you, the mother of her children. If you want to live a happy life, choose your own kind!» he said.

1. Kuzinets shared the story of his service and noted that he built his life «according to his father»: «Take care of your family, respect your parents! I command you to have love and happiness!»

Lyudmila Ermoshkina, Chairman of the NGO «Women of St. Petersburg», presented the book «Leningrad Madonnas» about women of the time of the siege and spoke about the role of women in the development of Russia. She retold several stories of the book’s heroines and noted that during the Great Patriotic War, about a million women fought on the fronts.

Rector of St. Sergius of Radonezh Church in the Primorsky district of St. Petersburg, Priest Dmitry Zubov urged the audience to preserve their memory, but not to suppress the sprouts of life – to show young people examples of modern exploits, for example, the experience of young veterans.

«It is necessary to impart to schoolchildren the experience of a wise attitude to life, to develop patriotic work in schools. Love for the motherland is its protection», he said.

Representatives of the Military Institute of Army General A. V. Khrulev Railway Troops and Military Communications Military Academy, including young veterans of the SMO, addressed the audience. They told about their experience of participating in military operations, wished the youth to find their life’s work.

During the meeting, vocal performances from Elena Talkovskaya and other performers from the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution Krasnogvardeysky Cultural and Leisure Center were performed, a video clip «My Family during the Great Patriotic War» was shown by students of the cadet classes Nikolai and Vladislav Khryastolov, as well as a video clip from cadets of the Military Institute of Army General A. V. Khrulev Railway Troops and Military Communications Military Academy.