The flag of the legendary cruiser Varyag, which was brought from South Korea, was solemnly welcomed in Kronstadt, a Petersburg’s neighbourhood, on Sunday, Itar-Tass reports.
The Varyag flag was initially brought to Kronstadt, a city closely connected with the history of the heroic cruiser and the whole Russian Navy. Taking part in a ceremony of honouring the Varyag flag on the Yakornaya Square of Kronstadt were Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko, wife of the Russian president Svetlana Medvedev, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kiril, public personalities, naval sailors, naval veterans and Kronstadt residents.
To the accompaniment of the military march the flag was brought by car on the Kronstadt central square, then the guard of honour placed the relic at the Kronstadt Maritime Cathedral. Naval sailors hailed in honour of the flag, the ceremony participants were singing a famous song about a proud Varyag not surrendering to the enemy.
“The Russian Navy celebrates a remarkable event in its history today. The flag from the legendary cruiser Varyag was brought to the city of military glory Kronstadt. From now on the flag will be brought to many Russian cities as a symbol of heroism of our sailors,” Valentina Matvienko said. She thanked Svetlana Medvedev for an initiative to hold this action. The Russian patriarch also noted the importance of this event. “Please God, the today’s event will inspire our young people, will be imprinted in the mind and the heart of a growing generation. The honour and valour, which Varyag sailors showed, should be our national value,” Kirill said.
The relic has been kept at the museums of South Korea for several decades. This year the countries agreed to grant the Varyag fore flag for the display in Russian museums. The Varyag flag will be the highlight of an exhibition, which will open at the St. George Hall of the State Hermitage Museum on July 25 timed to Russia’s Navy Day. The exhibition will be shown in other Russian cities.