Who invented the “Immortal Regiment” when this initiative became popular among the people, and how many heroes in this story have? The idea of ​​creation belongs to a pensioner from Tyumen, and it became famous thanks to the efforts of Tomsk journalists. Then the initiative was seized by the federal authorities, which is worth telling separately.
Operation "interception"
Why was the popularly favorite action seized from the TV-2 channel? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the anniversary of the great Victory was approaching, and they wanted to make the festival as large as possible. Including, and financially. After all, journalists from Tomsk worked exclusively on “desire”: if you want, come to the action, if you want, no. So collecting millions is unlikely to succeed. Then to entrust this task was decided by the "All-Russian Popular Front", as real experts on issues of mass gatherings.
There were political reasons lying in the liberal roots of the Tomsk television channel. The action was to demonstrate the maximum unity of our compatriots in the face of a noble goal, and Putin's ONF was much better suited for this than Tomsk TV-2. After that, the People’s Front members almost forgot about who came up with the Immortal Regiment first, and took the whole initiative on organizing the march.
The New Story of the Immortal Regiment
The consequences of such a decision were not long in coming. Many publications, not to mention users of social networks, began to resent the undeserved "pulling" of the shares from its founders. The presidential spokesman had no choice but to call the action “a popular impulse” and declare the authorship proceedings incorrect. And then ONF completely rewrote the story of who invented the Immortal Regiment. This story looked like this.
Prophetic dream: who invented the Immortal Regiment?
There are many examples of how great thoughts to brilliant people come in a dream. So it happened with this action. The idea to bring portraits of the dead veterans in a march dedicated to the Victory Day came in a dream to Gennady Ivanov, the son of a famous order bearer. It is he who is famous as the man who invented the Immortal Regiment in 2007.
Moreover, the dream of a descendant of the hero had a dream on the eve of the May holidays. He himself describes what he saw as follows: “May 9, an official ceremony, a grand parade. The great song "Holy War" sounds. A thousand-strong convoy of people begins to march along the main street of Tyumen, each holding in their hands portraits of relatives who died in the Great Patriotic War. ” This dream impressed Gennady Ivanov so much that he decided to do everything possible to bring this action to life.
"Portrait at the Parade"
This is the name at first the “Immortal Regiment” campaign had. Many residents of Tyumen took part in it, and most importantly - the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the heroes. Subsequently, the Tyumen initiative was supported by other regions of Russia: a couple of years later, processions with portraits took place in Novosibirsk, Kazan, Kemerovo and many other cities.
In 2012, the initiative finally reached Tomsk. Here, the action was called "Immortal Regiment", which immediately pleased. It was he who was decided to leave to this day.
How was everything really?
There are, of course, many contradictions in this story. Starting from the lack of mention of the name of Gennady Ivanov in the official press, and ending with the most absurd idea that such an action could begin because of one dream. The question of who invented the immortal regiment would remain open to this day, and perhaps the ONF would have been able to select not only the action, but also the idea from Tomsk journalists.
However, in the archives of the regional press, it was possible to find records of a pensioner and public figure Gennady Ivanov, who really published his thoughts on this subject in 2007, in the newspaper Tyumen News. In a word, there was an idea at that time, and there should be no doubt about in which year the immortal regiment was invented. Only now in 2007 the action itself has not yet been held. Somehow she was picked up only in 2008, in the pensioner's hometown and under his initiative. Then in the convoy was only one line of people with portraits of veterans.
Gennady Ivanov wholeheartedly advocated for the action and sought to ensure that it took on as large a scale as possible. Therefore, he sent appeals with a request to support the action not only in all regions of the country, but also in neighboring republics. Let everyone know who invented the immortal regiment in Russia and support the noble initiative!
What newspapers wrote about a pensioner
The idea did not go unnoticed by the press. Here's what the press wrote about Gennady Ivanov.
- In the Kuzbass publication in 2009, it was indicated that the editors received an unusual letter with an original idea from a resident of Tyumen. Holiday demonstrations on Victory Day are always held according to the standard scenario: artificial flowers, a parade, balloons ... But what if portraits of warrior heroes are made the main distinguishing mark of this day? To do this, you do not need any frills, just find the old photo of the veteran and attach it to the pole.
- In 2010, the newspaper Ulyanovskaya Pravda also published information that on May 9, on Victory Day, the main attribute will be the faces of the heroes of this holiday. Photos of veterans at the initiative of a resident of Tyumen will carry participants in the festive parade, including the descendants of the fallen soldiers.
- The newspaper “Red North” in 2013 also mentioned that now the parade of winners is not just words and not a one-day campaign that will sink into oblivion tomorrow. Veterans really are present at the festive procession - even in photographs. The faces of war heroes can and should become the main feature of the Victory Day!
- In the same year, the publication “Working Land” confirmed in its publication that the idea belonged to Gennady Ivanov, a member of the Union of Journalists. The editors agreed that the idea he was proposing was very interesting and relevant. How to make the victorious heroes the main participants in the celebration of victory? In the photos! Many, before finding them in old family albums, will rediscover the book of memories and learn a lot of new things. Children will learn to appreciate courage and courage, will respect veterans more. All this will bring much more benefit than, for example, flash mobs to create huge St. George ribbons. Real memory is not at all the size of a ribbon, it is in the faces of veterans, and they must be present next to us on this great day.
Feedback from the central press
But all this is the regional press, but the central television channels and serious publications have never mentioned the letters of Gennady Ivanov. Only after TV-2 was first shown the idea on television, was it noticed and rightly appreciated. Only now they preferred not to mention the pensioner himself, and thus the information on who came up with the Immortal Regiment stock remained unclear.
- The Izvestia newspaper in 2013 published data indicating that the idea of ​​the action first appeared in Tomsk, but today it is already being implemented in more than a hundred cities and towns. People come to the parade with photos of the fallen soldiers to solemnly carry them through the streets.
- In 2014, the Zavtra newspaper also talked about the fact that in 2012 a remarkable initiative was born in Tomsk aimed at the unity of the inhabitants in the face of the great Victory. Everyone can participate in it. Now, six countries and more than 120 Russian cities are participating in this action.
- In the same 2014, the Novye Izvestia publication decided to publish an article about the celebration of Victory Day. It said that every year there are fewer veterans and more empty spaces. Therefore, it was decided to carry along the main streets of Tomsk photographs of veterans who gave their lives in that distant war. Today this noble action has already been taken up in many other cities.
- In 2014, RIA Novosti also said that for the first time the action "Immortal Regiment" was held two years ago in Tomsk. At that time, it was relatively small in scale: portraits of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, participants in the Great Patriotic War, carried only 5 thousand people. But the initiative so pleased that a year later it was supported by 200 thousand participants. The Immortal Regiment parades were held not only in our country, but also in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. And in 2014, residents of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Israel will also join the action.
As you can see, each publication tells about exactly when and where they came up with the “Immortal Regiment” - in Tomsk, in 2012. But they prefer to tactfully keep silent about the author of this action.
Tomsk or Tyumen?
The initiative, which supposedly originated in Tomsk, was gaining momentum. Subsequently, they began to call it the "Immortal Regiment" in Tyumen. Only local residents carrying portraits of veterans did not forget who came up with the “Immortal Regiment” first. And at every mention of the action, it was necessarily emphasized that its countryman was the author and initiator.
The journalist himself, who invented the Immortal Regiment, spoke with some resentment about this state of affairs. In 2014, Tyumen News published his letter stating that in recent years the action, in which the main "participants" are portraits of fallen soldiers, is better known as the "Immortal Regiment". But in fact, this name stuck only 5 years after the first parade with photographs of veterans took place in Tyumen. Ostensibly, larger television channels and radio holdings took advantage of the idea. Of course, they have much more opportunities than a simple freelance correspondent ...
Not knowing reliable information about who came up with the “Immortal Regiment” in Russia first, indeed, one would think that it originated in Tomsk. But this is not so. And the author, who invented this action, is not at all conceited and does not strive for his name to be mentioned everywhere. But it’s one thing, speaking of how the project is gaining scope, not to mention who invented the Immortal Regiment and where exactly it went for the first time. And quite another - intentionally distorting history, giving priority in creating an initiative to a completely different city. Tyumen, not Tomsk - the hometown of Gennady Ivanov! It was here that the "Immortal Regiment" was born. And you can’t keep silent about this!
Do you know who invented the Immortal Regiment in Russia?
A photo of Gennady Ivanov is hardly mentioned in the press. The freelance journalist himself, of course, did not have major media opportunities, and his voice was poorly audible, drowned out by more serious "sharks of the pen." But still, one should not forget about the initiative of the pensioner, that it was he who came up with the idea to perpetuate the faces of heroes-veterans in his memory.
About Gennady Kirillovich almost never been remembered for all these 8 years, since 2009. The authorities, to which he himself wrote, remained indifferent to the undertaking. He was involved in the initiative in his hometown alone. However, the pensioner’s dream really came to the masses only when the idea fell into the hands of TV-2 journalists. It was they who made the action truly popular. In a word, the question of who invented the Immortal Regiment in Russia and who developed this initiative is controversial and controversial.
Tips from Gennady Ivanov for those who want to take part in the action
Before the parade in 2017, the creator of the Immortal Regiment held a press conference at which he answered questions and gave useful advice to the residents of Tyumen.
- Even if you do not have a photo of a veteran - it does not matter. Indicate on the pillar the name, patronymic and surname of the hero, his military rank, and this will be enough. You can additionally place the action logo on the plate and decorate it with a St. George ribbon.
- It will take a long time to go, but you will have to stand before it. Therefore, take care of comfortable shoes. You need to get dressed for the weather. Do not forget to bring a bottle of water with you and, if you wish, have something to eat.
- Formation of a line in Tyumen is done by special volunteers. They build people and make sure that everyone can take part in the procession. Depending on the size of the column, it can stretch across several streets.
- Particular attention in the process of the “Immortal Regiment” campaign is paid to the lack of intrusive advertising and information banners. In past years, some organizations managed to bring their own symbolism alongside St. George's ribbons. This is simply unacceptable.
- You don’t need to specially register for participation in the procession. All that is required is to arrive at the meeting place at the appointed time, and if necessary, fill out a short questionnaire right on the spot. In it you will be asked if you are ready to take on volunteer responsibilities or to take part in other similar events in the future.
- If for some reason you can’t take part in the festive parade, but want to perpetuate the memory of the heroes, you can attach a small portrait of a warrior at the heart as a breast badge.
How to prepare a portrait and how to carry it?
Despite the disagreements on the question of who invented the Immortal Regiment in Russia, this action is primarily aimed at reviving the memory of the heroes and defenders of our country. Therefore, you can take a photograph of not only your relative or family member, but, in principle, any hero of the Great Patriotic War. This is exactly what Gennady Ivanov himself believes, the one who invented the Immortal Regiment. A photo can be of any size, even if it is small, because the main thing is memory! But, as a rule, processions use printed A3 portraits. Such a photo will be visible from afar.
The photo found in the family album or any other place must be scanned, add the name and title of the hero to it, and then print the image in the desired format. And it doesn’t matter at all when this picture was taken - last year or even before the start of World War II. By the way, in many cities you can print portraits of veterans for free - however, in A4 format. To make the printout larger, you have to pay extra.
After the portrait is ready, you just have to protect it in case of bad weather. A film is suitable, for example, a regular file, and the image can be immediately ordered laminated. But putting a photograph under glass is not recommended.
Carrying a portrait on a pillar or in hands is a personal matter for everyone. The fact is that it is physically impossible for everyone to carry a photograph of their hero in the front rows of the column. Therefore, so that the picture was visible from afar, it can be attached to a special pillar. You can buy it ready-made or make it yourself - this is not so difficult.
It is worth considering the design of not only the front, but also the reverse side of the portrait, if you carry it on the pillar above your head. Often they forget about it, so an unsightly sight opens in the form of dirty plastic or an uncouth piece of plywood. Even if you just stick the back side with white paper or write a few words about the heroic deed, it will look much better.
Now you know everything about how to take part in the action, who invented the Immortal Regiment first in fact, and why this story has so many contradictions.