Address of Governor of Saint Petersburg Mr. Georgy Poltavchenko and Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg Mr. Vyacheslav Makarov.

Dear Leningraders and Saint Petersburgers!

September 8^th is a mournful day in the history of our city. This day fills the heart of every citizen on the Neva with pain. 76 years ago, enemy’s siege ring closed around Leningrad. The count of terrible 900 days and nights began, leaving an open wound in memories of generations.

One cannot not find a single Leningrad family that did not lose their relatives during the siege. The Battle for Leningrad is one of the most tragic and, at the same time, the most heroic pages of the Great Patriotic War. The heroic deed of the fortress on the Neva’s defenders went down in history as the symbol of bravery, courage and the greatest fortitude. Hunger, bitter frost, barbaric air raids and bomb shelling were not enough to break the Leningrad citizens’ will and their love for Motherland.

At the cost of colossal casualties, having overcome incredible challenges, soldiers, militiamen and the citizens of besieged Leningrad defended it from the enemy. They saved the city, that was meant to be destroyed by the fascist barbarians, withstood and won.

May all heroes be remembered for not sparing their lives for the sake of Motherland and future generations. We bow low to all veterans — warriors, workers, officers, citizens of besieged Leningrad. Your heroic deed will remain for ages in our hearts and in the hearts of future generations.