11 June 2013 saw the opening on the European Parliament premises in Strasbourg of an exhibition “Volgograd: 70 years of international cooperation after the Battle of Stalingrad” devoted to the history and international cooperation of the city. The event was organized at the joint initiative of Dr. Jiři Maštalka, Member of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic, and the Administration of the city of Volgograd with the assistance of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the EU in the framework of celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
A unique collection of historical documents and photos was presented covering the battle itself as well as vast experience of international cooperation during the 69 years of world-wide movement of twin cities initiated back in 1944 by the people of Stalingrad and the British city of Coventry.
The event pays tribute to the Soviet soldier who brought freedom to Europe from Nazi slavery and extermination, as well as recalls that the battle of Stalingrad has become a historic milestone from which contemporary world and especially today’s Europe largely stem.
Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union, Acting Volgograd Mayor Irina Solovieva, Vice-President of the European Parliament Miguel Angel Martinez Martinez, other members of the European Parliament and representatives of Volgograd’s twin cities from the European countries took part in the event.
Speakers at the opening ceremony stressed the role of historical truth as a most important means of countering attempts to falsify history, underlined that the moral duty of today’s generation is to promote peace and stability paid by so many lives. The only way to achieve this is to strengthen cooperation, support people-to-people contacts on our continent and contribute to building a single Europe without dividing lines.
Address by Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov at the opening ceremony of the exhibition
