The Union of Soviet Citizens in Belgium opened a memorial museum, Interfax reports. It began working in Brussels at the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo.
According to Russian Ambassador Alexander Tokovinin, this organization can rightly be called unique. It brought together thousands of people, most of them women, who were in German captivity. After the end of World War II, they had to start life anew from scratch.
They managed to retain their own identity, their roots, their culture, the head of the diplomatic mission added. And their union acted in order to create a bridge of friendship and understanding between the peoples of our countries, the diplomat explained.
The Union of Soviet Citizens in Belgium was created for all USSR citizens living in Belgium to develop cultural ties with their homeland and maintain Soviet patriotism. The organization acted in the midst of the Cold War. Its members celebrated Soviet holidays, held campaigns against the war and in support of the USSR, and even collected funds - to the Soviet Peace Fund and the installation of monuments in the Soviet Union and Europe.
Over time, more than five thousand people joined the organization. At the same time, the Belgian authorities did not pose any obstacles to the activities of this organization. Throughout its history, the union has been very socially active. The organization consisted of almost a dozen regional branches.
Every year, starting in the late 1940s, the union conducted amateur performances and Russian language course. Members of the organization looked after the graves of Soviet soldiers throughout Belgium. They also raised funds to help the children of Chernobyl and the victims of the earthquake in Spitak.
Russkiy Mir
