President Vladimir Putin (1952- ), wearing the St George Ribbon on Victory Day, 2007
Those watching the 9 May Victory Day parade in Red Square could not fail to see the St George ribbons on the lapels of President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. It was the very first time that the Russian number-ones publicly joined the St George Ribbon campaign.
The history of this campaign is quite remarkable. It started three years ago, in 2005, as a mostly Moscow-based action to mark the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory over Nazi Germany. Passers-by were presented with ribbons in the colours of the Order of St George in memory of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 and as tokens of our never-dying gratitude to our veterans. People attached the ribbons to their clothing and tied them to car antennas and other belongings.
St George Ribbon
Let me explain about this ribbon. The ribbon of the Order of St George is one of the most recognised and respected symbols of military valour in Russia. This black-and-orange-striped ribbon, 3 black stripes and 2 orange ones to be exact, is said to derive its colours from the Russian imperial coat of arms. This ribbon was a part of the regalia of the Order of St George, established in 1789 as the highest military decoration of Imperial Russia. The distinction passed on to the Soviet army. Among my father’s military decorations there is one called “For the Victory over Germany”, attached to a St George ribbon.
During the first year of the St George ribbon campaign in 2005, some 600,000 ribbons were handed out. This campaign, launched by public organisations, had a tremendous success and was blessed by the Patriarch. The next year, 4 million ribbons were distributed, and in 2007, some 10 million ribbons were given out. The St George ribbon campaign grew rapidly in all countries with sizeable Russian populations. This campaign was accompanied by fund raising to help hospitalised war veterans and needy veterans.
The St George ribbon campaign success story has several roots. Firstly, the idea was in the air because the St George ribbon is basically nothing else but a version of the currently-popular awareness ribbons. Most know that awareness ribbons are short pieces of ribbon folded into a loop and a way for the wearer to make a subtle statement of support for a cause or issue. The meaning behind the awareness ribbon depends on its colour. For example, a red awareness ribbon is most commonly associated with the fight against AIDS and HIV.
Lest we forget… the Scarlet Poppy, an inspiration for the St George Ribbon
Another root and inspiration for the St George ribbon campaign was the Scarlet Poppy, an international symbol for those who died in battle. Since November 1921, when the first poppies were distributed in Canada, they turned into a sign to commemorate soldiers who died in wars. The commemoration period starts in late October, and the Poppy is usually worn at any time after that date on the left lapel of a garment or as close to the heart as possible. So far, we have no St George ribbon dress code, and I have seen people attaching it to any part of their clothing and even to pets. Currently, the St George ribbon is worn only at the time of Victory Day celebration. I think that finally we shall follow a tradition of the Scarlet Poppy. It is not limited to the annual Remembrance period; a person may wear a Poppy any time they wish to do so.
The stunning success of the St George ribbon campaign resulted from the prevailing public mood, for according to a nationwide poll, 94 percent of Russians believe that Victory Day on 9 May is a very important day. The importance of this day can be found in the fact that 64 percent of all Russian families had a family member killed in the Great Patriotic War. As for my family, two of my cousins were killed in October 1941 defending Moscow. Therefore, it is no wonder that, according to a poll, 76 percent of Russians were positive about the St George ribbon being attached to one’s clothing or to a car. Negative responses primarily expressed displeasure about this sacred ribbon being used to decorate a car, mobile phone, dog, or any other non-human object. I would agree… just imagine a Scarlet Poppy being hooked to a car antenna or to a dog-collar. But, the St George ribbon custom is only 3 years old, and we have not yet developed a proper ribbon code.
The stunning success of the St George ribbon campaign is quite interesting as an example of the grassroots democracy emerging in Russia. Here, I would like to compare Victory Day as symbolised by the St George ribbon with the official Russian Independence Day known now as the Russia Day. It’s celebrated on 12 June and it is a non-working day. But, even today, only 3 percent of all Russians are aware that on 12 June 1990, the Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic adopted a declaration of state sovereignty for the Russian Federation. This holiday, imposed from the top, is the most unpopular of all national holidays, whilst Victory Day, which Russians celebrate on 9 May, is the most-loved. The ribbon of St George that symbolises our martial glory and the remembrance of our fallen heroes succeeded where Independence Day failed. This tiny ribbon is enthusiastically worn as a symbol of patriotism, a concept which rises above politics and other personal convictions.
14 May 2008
Vsevolod Marinov
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=27040&cid=87&p=14.05.2008 (in English)
Voice of Russia World Service
