Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Opening remarks by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations at the concert, marking the 70th Anniversary of Victory in World War II

6 May 2015

Dear guests,

Dear colleagues,

Dear veterans of the Second World War,

I am glad to welcome you all at today’s concert. It is held within the framework of a series of events at the United Nations to mark the 70^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. At the outset I would like to sincerely congratulate the veterans of the Second World War on the Victory Day. Quite a few of them joined us in this Hall today.

You went through terrible ordeals. We shall never forget your heroic deeds and valour in battle. Your will and courage managed to stop and crush the cruel enemy – Fascism and Militarism – who aimed at annihilating one part of mankind and enslaving the other.

We are profoundly grateful to you.

Dear guests,

All peoples of the former Soviet Union made their contribution to Victory. The joint photo exhibition at the entrance to the General Assembly Hall organized by a number of States makes it evident. For over 70 years these days of May – always blooming, solemn and bright but at the same time full of sorrow – are of particular importance to us. Every single family faced hardships and losses during that Great War. We remember all those who sacrificed their lives in the name of peace, dignity and happiness of future generations.

We owe them also the existence of the United Nations. Its creation allowed the world to avoid global conflicts and provided us with instruments for joint search for responses to current challenges and threats.

Dear friends,

It is well known that art has a unifying force. At all times it helped people to understand each other better. Dramatic and heroic chronicles of the Second World War have been recorded in prose, poetry, paintings, films and music.

Music, probably, was of particular importance during the war. It supported soldiers and reminded them about their beloved. It helped to overcome difficulties and hardships not only at the battlefield but also at the home front. It was a true friend in time of sadness or in moments of joy of reunion with the loved ones.

Even in the darkest days of the war it was music that gave courage and strength. The Seventh Symphony of Dmitry Shostakovich was performed on 9 August 1942 in besieged Leningrad when few people in occupied Europe could believe that the city would survive. Despite the airstrikes the concert hall was full that day, all chandeliers were shining. This great music was able to express what united people at that difficult time: belief in victory, self-sacrifice, endless love for their city, for their Motherland. It became a powerful symbol of confidence in the Victory of Life over Death.

Today we will hear popular compositions of war and post-war times from different countries, including, of course, my own. They will be performed by the Oleg Lundstrem Jazz Orchestra. Newspapers called this prominent musician and founder of this band “the King of Jazz of the Far East”. Jazz was born on the American continent, but many people in other parts of the world, including Russia, know and love it. Today, like many years ago, musicians speak the same language that everyone understands – the language of music that does not require simultaneous translation.

So let us enjoy the music. I hope that harmonious performance of the orchestra will inspire us for concerted work on joint solutions of the problems faced by the international community.

Have a nice evening!