(Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia)
Eighty-three years have elapsed since the great Victory, several generations have grown up, but the memories are still vivid of the war and the valiant defenders of the Motherland who struggled against Fascism and Nazism at a huge cost of 370 thousand of lives lost on the battlefields and as a result of war crimes and atrocities committed by the occupants.
Ethiopian patriots’ libirated the capital of their country from the aggressors. The enemy was defeated not only with the power of equipment and military might. The key was that the weapons were in the hands of an unyielding tight-knit people, united in defending its own, dear, native land – both on the war front and home front.
Ethiopia was the first country attacked by the fascists a few years before World War II, when on the night of October 3, 1935, suddenly, without a declaration of war Italian troops invaded its territory. Ethiopia was also the first country to be liberated from fascism. The undisputed victory of Ethiopia eliminated the colonial threat that had been long looming over the state and demonstrated its military strength and independence. Patriots’ Day is significant as it represents a historic moment in the country’s struggle to defend the Empire’s sovereignty and self-determination.
We highly appreciate the heroism and courage of the Ethiopian people and pay tribute to their sacrificial feat, true patriotism and steadfastness. Patriots’ Victory Day is the most valuable and brightest Day for the peoples of Ethiopia. It is a Day of the strength of the people’s spirit. These lessons of the past war are still relevant. The celebration of this significant Day is very important now, when the desire of some countries to exploit the peoples of the world continues in the form of neo-colonial manifestations aimed at limiting the sovereignty of other countries in domestic and foreign policy, economic, ideological and other spheres.
It just so happened that on this solemn day in Ethiopia and Russia Orthodox believers celebrate the Bright Feast of Holy Easter, so I would like to use this opportunity to warmly congratulate the people of Ethiopia on these two holidays and wish to all Ethiopian friends and brothers in faith good health, family well-being, peace and prosperity.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY EVGENY TEREKHIN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 5 MAY 2024
