Remembering the Second World War through Russian and Belarusian cinema

Deputy Minister Rybakov
Ambassador Borodavkin
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:


It is an honour to welcome you here, on behalf of the Acting Director-General of UNOG, Mr. Michael Møller, for the opening of this film festival marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Mr. Møller regrets that he is unable to be here in person for this event and has asked me to deliver the following message on his behalf:

“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you for this special event on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. My sincere thanks go to the Permanent Missions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus and to Nashagazeta for their efforts in making this event possible.

As part of the Allied Forces, the Soviet Union played a critical role in brining an end to the war, suffering immense losses. The feature films shown here as part of our Cultural Activities Programme are artistic representations of the impact of the war, as interpreted by cinematographers of the region where memories of these ordeals remain very vivid on so many levels. While each film presents the Directors’ individual perspectives articulated through personal stories - which will have been felt differently by others - together they speak to a collective experience of when the international community united in common cause to defend freedom and human rights for all.

The Second World War was undoubtedly one of the darkest chapters in human history. In remembering, we transmit to the youth of today the commitment to ensure that no future generations have to endure such cruelty, pain and sacrifice again. In recalling, we do not glorify military prowess, but we wish to highlight the immense human suffering and loss that continue to mark our world due to war and instability. And we make sure that we as the human family continue to rally around the values and principles that eventually defeated tyranny: solidarity, mutual respect, and a shared vision of a better world to be realized through dialogue and collaboration.

These are the values and principles on which the United Nations was built to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. These words from the preamble to our Charter are as relevant and as poignant today as they were in 1945. Over the past seventy years, the United Nations has remained dedicated to promoting international peace and security, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms and ensuring a better future for us all.

In a world where too many conflicts remain unresolved and where we experience increasing division and distrust across communities, we need to use the anniversaries of the end of the Second World War and the establishment of the United Nations to reaffirm our commitment to those values and principles, to the non-use of force and to the peaceful settlement of conflicts. And we need to redouble our efforts to bring reconciliation and understanding across countries and across communities.”

That was the end of the Acting Director-General’s message, and I join him in wishing you a successful film festival and a pleasant afternoon.