31.08.2011
Text: Northern Fleet Information Support Group
Photo: Northern Fleet Information Support Group
Solemn activities Dervish-2011 related to 70th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy start on Aug 31.
The festival will be opened tonight in the Lomonosov Drama Theater, Arkhangelsk. The concert will be attended by Northern Fleet (NF) Commander Vice Admiral Vladimir Korolev and Arkhangelsk Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk. NF Song and Dance Company will give a festive concert.
Veterans of the Great Patriotic War, British and American veterans of Arctic Convoys, numerous foreign delegations from the allied countries are invited to festivities arranged by Arkhangelsk regional and city administration under the auspices of Northern Fleet and White Sea Naval Base command. British delegation is headed by First Sea Lord Admiral Mark Stanhope.
Aug 31 is the main day of the festival. On that very day 70 years ago six transport ships of the
Dervish convoy called at Arkhangelsk port carrying defense products for the Soviet Union.
Military and naval parades with participation of Northern Fleet troops and ships took place in Arkhangelsk. Memorial stela "Town of Battle Glory Arkhangelsk" was opened as well; the town received this honorable status by presidential decree on May 5, 2009.
Patriotic action "Flower of Memory" will be held in the evening of Aug 31 at the central square; citizens of Arkhangelsk will throw hundreds of balloons tied into a big flower to the air and light candles in remembrance of international sailors' brotherhood and fallen participants of Arctic Convoys.
Festive fireworks will illuminate night sky over Arkhangelsk and close the festival held in commemoration of Arctic Convoys.
