Even today, it is a fantasy to imagine that Boris Johnson writes in Moscow and asks for the notes of the Russian anthem. But in 1944, Churchill thanked Stalin for giving the notes of the Soviet national anthem, which was transmitted by the BBC in commemoration of the Russian victories.
And one of the great victories of the British considered the battle of Stalingrad. In fact, this is an amazing story of those times, which Natalia Kulishenko, a graduate of the diplomatic Academy of the MFA of Russia, has dedicated many years of his life.
the Publishing house “International relations” has released her book “the Stalingrad story of the Queen of England”, and concerned British Glagoslav publications translated the work into English, and this year (before the fall of the quarantine curtain) An English Queen and Stalingrad presented at the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in London in the city of Coventry.
from this Royal interest in your life? – asked Natalia.
Natalia Kulishenko: Exactly 20 years ago, the Queen mother Elizabeth was awarded the title of Honorary citizen of the hero city of Volgograd with wording for special merits in the organization of care, Stalingrad the people of the UK during the Second world war and the development of friendly relations with Russia. And monarch gratefully accepted it. And it wasn’t just a polite sign of honour of the 100th anniversary of the Queen mother. In the Museum-reserve Stalingrad battle is a unique gift from her husband – sword, inlaid with gold and silver with engraved across the length of the blade says “the Citizens of Stalingrad, strong as steel-from king George VI in token of the homage of the British people.”
fact Stunning and amazing words.
Natalia Kulishenko: Military breaking news in the fall of ‘ 42 years was the defense of Stalingrad. The outcome of the battle depended the fate of the world. Through Stalingrad lay the path of the German first to the oil of Baku, and then to oil in the Middle East (the energy source for the UK).
And as the sword was transferred to the Soviet Union?
Natalia Kulishenko: Also impressive. During the Tehran conference in November 1943, Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave for Stalingrad pride of the Royal sword.
And before that, by the way, the Honorary weapon was on display in Coventry, where there was a fundraiser to help Fund Stalingrad. And the Queen mother and the Prime Minister’s wife Clementine Churchill made in this example by making a private donation.
Coventry times mentioned in your book.
Natalia Kulishenko: I repeatedly visited this city, which not accidentally was twinned with Stalingrad. In the night from 14 to 15 November 1940, over 500 German bombers almost destroyed Coventry to the ground. The deadly RAID ��was nazyvalsya “moonlight Sonata”. Twenty aviation companies were the ruins… August 23, 1942 – the tragic bombing of Stalingrad, more than two thousand sorties of aircraft were blazing even the Volga. The first words of support and humanitarian aid came from the city with a similar fate – the English Coventry. Thus was born the movement of twinning with cities around the world.
Even if the means of delivery of news courage of Stalingrad became known around the world.
Natalia Kulishenko: I cite in my book and this fact: “In 1944, workers of a textile factory in Coventry through the women’s Anglo-Soviet Committee was sent to Stalingrad 60 pounds of assistance and a linen cloth on which are embroidered the names of who collected the money, and the words: “Better little help than great regret.”
How exactly. Better little help than great regret. It seems to me that your book is dedicated not only to the history of the Queen mother, commemorative visits her daughter Queen Elizabeth to Moscow (1994), granddaughter of Princess Anne in Volgograd (1990), is helping. Real support normal people who gratefully remember the days when we were allies in the Second world war.
As well, in the United Kingdom, no one today comes to mind to rename squares and streets named in the twin cities in honor of each other.
Natalia Kulishenko: There is a tradition that the Lord mayor of Coventry arrive on the Day of the Victory Day in Volgograd/Stalingrad. But this year, the pandemic parades and visits are cancelled. It is important not only to celebrate our common victory, but also to develop those bits of kindness and understanding that accumulated people. No day without a victory over trouble, over him, over the problem.
Perhaps more of humanity and humanism will return to politics. But this trend has long been evident when the people of the city communicate with each other.
In March, during a meeting in Coventry with his Lord-mayor Linda bigam we talked about the fact that the Department of Russian language needed in Coventry University. I hope we will succeed.
