Southwark is preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day this week with a formal ceremony at the Soviet War Memorial and retro street parties.
The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Sunil Chopra, will lay a memorial wreath along with the Chair of The Soviet War Memorial Trust Fund, Philip Matthews, at a gathering of local dignitaries in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park on Saturday at 11am.
The news that the Second World War had finally come to an end was announced on May 8 in 1945, and since then that day has been marked annually to remember those who fought and died in the war effort.
In Southwark, the Soviet War Memorial has provided the site for an annual remembrance of the 27 million citizens of the Soviet Union, military and civilian who lost their lives in the war.
“The first Victory Day may well have been an experience of euphoria for all of Europe but we must never forget the sacrifice of the millions of Soviet citizens who paid for our freedom with their lives,” said Cllr Chopra. “I ask that all who continue to cherish democracy in our time join me in standing shoulder to shoulder at the Soviet War Memorial on May 9.”
Today, Borough Market is beginning its VE Day Celebrations by taking everyone’s taste buds back in time to the 1940s with ‘make do’ wartime recipes cooked up by Chef, Lesley Holdship for a street party.
Swing dancers will get the party going from noon and there will be limited edition poppy prints on sale to raise money for the British Legion.