Action “Immortal Regiment” canceled in Antalya

The local Russian society reported that they had not received permission from the authorities

This year, Turkish Antalya will not host the Immortal Regiment campaign, which Russian-speaking citizens organize in memory of their relatives who fell in the Great Patriotic War.

“No permission was received from the authorities. The security department did not recommend holding the action without explanation. There will be no “Immortal Regiment”, but there will be a celebration. It will be held in a closed format: a small concert and a documentary film. We are expecting 150 people, ”the Russian Society of Antalya told MK.

Most likely, the ban is connected with the desire of the authorities to avoid unnecessary scandals, stressed in the Russian Society. The city received many immigrants from both Russia and Ukraine. Many of them have been living in the country for a long time, others came to the city en masse last fall.

In the Russian Society of Antalya, “MK” was informed that the Immortal Regiment campaign also did not take place last year. Prior to that, the event was canceled due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, in previous years it was held in a large format, about 3 thousand people took part in the procession.

In 2021, during the pandemic, Russian-speaking residents shared photos of their relatives in social media groups.

“My great-grandfather was called to the front, fought and went missing in 1943… We still don’t know where he ended up and where he is buried… Searches in various databases have not yet yielded results. Blessed memory to our heroes, ”Alina told the story of her family.

“My dad was drafted into the Red Army in 1939, then the war, concentration camps … In 1944 he was released from captivity, continued to fight. And in 1946 he returned home. Forever in our hearts, we have someone to be proud of! writes another girl named Khanum.

Since last year, residents of social networks began to share photos of their loved ones less and less, so as not to once again provoke the Ukrainian population of the city.

Yes, and local authorities urge not to incite ethnic hatred. Thus, a composition of nesting dolls was installed on the city square as a sign of Russian-Turkish friendship. Once they were doused with red paint. On another occasion, some of the sculptures were completely smashed. The figures were restored, but the city authorities reminded of the likelihood of deportation to anyone who could participate in the conflicts.