15.12.2020.

“Eternal Flame” – a symbol of Serbian and Russian traditions of freedom

The President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the eternal fire lighting ceremony today and laid wreaths at the monument “Eternal Flame“ at the Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade.

“Eternal Flame“ arrived in Belgrade early this morning by a special Russian Defence Ministry’s plane. Members of the Serbian Armed Forces’ Guard participated in the eternal fire lighting ceremony.

President Vučić said that the fire was lit to remind us eternally of the fact that “Serbs and Russians are devoted to the traditions of freedom dating back to the Second World War. We marked the 75th anniversary of the end of this war appropriately and were on the same side of law, justice and freedom”.

- To remind us eternally that Serbia and Russia, in their desire for the world to be a better place for future generations, won great victories through terrible ordeals, thus building strong ties between our fraternal countries. The fire was lit to remind you that we must always remember our ancestors’ heroic deeds with deep gratitude and great respect. That is why our task today is to fight against the rewriting of history - says President Vučić and adds that the flame should forever warn us that we have no right to a moment of oblivion and to be aware every day of the value of what they left us forgetting about themselves.

The President of Serbia emphasized that the Flame was “a reminder of the obligation we have towards them and ourselves to stay free and be able to remember them in freedom”.

- Because when one loses freedom, one loses memory, one loses everything. We will never allow that, we will remember them in freedom - said President Vučić.

Minister Lavrov said that thanks to the consistent position of Serbia’s leadership on preserving historical truth and the memory of our ancestors’ heroic deed, the eternal flame was lit in the heart of the Serbian capital.

- We consider this new monument in memory of the liberating soldiers a symbol of the spiritual and historical unity of the Russians and Serbs and our brotherhood in arms that helped us defend the eternal values of peace, life and justice. It is a reminder for us to respect the memory of those who saved the world at the cost of their lives and provided peace for future generations. That is our sacred duty - Minister Lavrov emphasized.

The monument “Eternal Fire” is located at the site where a capsule with Russian soil was laid in February this year during the Russian Defence Minister Army General Sergey Shoygu’s visit. The capsule was formed on 15 February, Serbia’s Statehood Day, at Piskaryovskoye Cemetery in Russia, and was later brought to Belgrade.

The monument “Eternal Flame” by Russian academician Andrey Tirtishnikov symbolizes centuries-long brotherhood and joint victory of Serbia and Russia against fascism.