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The ceremony dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the natives of the Penza region who died in the battles for the northern capital during the Great Patriotic War was attended by the Governor of St. Petersburg Aleksandr Beglov and the head of the Penza Oblast Oleg Melnichenko, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
The siege of Leningrad is one of the most tragic and heroic pages in the history of our country. Residents of the city withstood the siege for 872 days. They died of hunger and cold, died from bombing and shelling, but did not give up. Having lost two-thirds of its inhabitants, but unconquered Leningrad was liberated thanks to the courage and incredible resilience of Soviet soldiers.
The Penza Oblast also contributed to the rescue of the Leningraders. Thousands of our residents fought on the Leningrad, Volkhov and 2nd Baltic fronts.
15 industrial enterprises and more than eight thousand residents were evacuated from Leningrad and the Leningrad Oblast to our region. Being in the deep rear, the Leningraders continued to resist the enemy – they created and sent ammunition, uniforms, and food to the front.
As part of the memorial ceremony, Aleksandr Beglov and Oleg Melnichenko made a joint walk along the central alley of the Memorial Cemetery. Paying tribute to the Penza residents and all the soldiers who fell in the battle for the freedom of Leningrad, the heads of the two Russian regions laid wreaths and flowers from the Governments of St. Petersburg and the Penza Oblast to the Motherland monument, to the memorial plate to the heroes of Penza and the Eternal Flame memorial.
The object dedicated to our countrymen has become part of a larger memorial to the defenders of Leningrad who came from different republics, territories and regions of our Homeland.
Oleg Melnichenko thanked the residents of St. Petersburg for their respectful attitude to the feat of the residents of Penza Oblast who participated in the battles for the besieged city.
"It was a terrible war, a heroic defence. Thousands of residents of the Penza Oblast gave their lives for the peaceful sky over Leningrad," the head of the region said.
"Both Petersburgers and Penza residents can come to the established memorial sign to express respect and gratitude for the great liberation from the enemy," he added.
The Governor of St. Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, explained that just yesterday two important memorable events took place in the northern capital.
"We have marked the 78th date of the end of the Leningrad Battle. And yesterday Dmitry Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony was performed. I am grateful to Oleg Vladimirovich Melnichenko for taking part in these events, paying tribute to the defenders of Leningrad, the soldiers of the Penza Oblast who defended our country and the city over the Neva," Aleksandr Beglov said.
"The Penza Oblast has become a land that has sheltered and warmed a large number of not only Leningraders, but also residents of other cities and regions of our Homeland. About 15 Leningrad enterprises that were evacuated to the Penza Oblast gave a new impetus to the industrial development. Our residents worked at enterprises, on collective farms, and forged the common Victory. I would like to thank you for the assistance and attention that are being given to residents of besieged Leningrad living in Penza now. I know that the regional government and your team treat the veterans of the Great Patriotic War with great respect. Thank you for the adoption of many legal acts in support of veterans. And here there are the ashes of the defenders of Leningrad, among them natives of the Penza Oblast who fought for our city. The opening of the memorial plaque means that we remember all our heroes, regardless of where they come from. They are all ours, all Leningraders, and we will always remember them," the head of St. Petersburg summed up.
The heads of the two Russian regions made entries in the Book of Honoured Guests, and handed over a diploma confirming the installation of a commemorative plaque to the natives of the Penza Oblast.