The atmosphere in Russia during the month of May is something you have to experience to truly understand. It is the season of Victory Day, and there is a specific kind of electricity in the air. You see the orange and black ribbons everywhere, the flags flying high, and a level of pride that is almost contagious. But for me, the soul of it all is the Russian National Anthem.
I will say it boldly. The Russian National Anthem is unarguably the best I have ever heard. It’s like it commands the room. It invokes a sense of compatriotism and love that is so deep you can practically feel it in your bones.
When you hear the lyrics, “Russia, our sacred state, Russia, our beloved country. A mighty will, a great glory are your heritage for all time!” you realize this isn’t just a song. It is just powerful. Translating it to English even reduces the steeze lol.
As an African living here, I often find myself taking long walks past the massive monuments and landmarks in cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, etc. It feels like every stone was laid to remind the citizens of the labor and sacrifice of those who came before them.
There is a culture of ‘not forgetting’ here that is honestly admirable. Whether it is the Eternal Flame or the statues of their war heroes, Russia has done a tremendous job of keeping their heritage alive. They don’t move on from history, but instead they live in continuous conversation with it.
It makes me stop and reflect. When you come from a place where we sometimes struggle to remember our own history or celebrate our heroes with this kind of intensity, you appreciate these moments even more.
I am a proud African, any day and anytime. Interestingly, being in Russia has actually made me appreciate my own African roots more. It has made me wonder why we don’t guard our stories with the same fierce energy as Russians do.
Of course, no country is perfect. Every nation has its struggles and wahala, but you cannot deny that there is a collective spirit here that makes things work. Russians love their country with a visible and unapologetic passion.
They look at their land, and they are proud of how far they have come. Seeing this makes me hopeful. It serves as a reminder that love for one’s country is not just possible. It is powerful.
It makes me dream of a day when my own people will look at our history and our land with that same unshakable pride, where our monuments tell our stories so loudly that no one can ever forget who we are.
Russia reminds me that a nation is only as strong as its memory. For the lessons learned, the hospitality shown, and the music that stirs the soul, I can only be grateful.
God bless Russia, and may we all find that same fire for our own homes.
С Днём Победы!