Commemorative events to mark the 70th anniversary of Second World War held at UN Headquarters

Commemorative events has started from the opening of the photo exhibition "The Last World War: Remembering for Peace", jointly organized by Permanent Missions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the UN. Photos presented at the exhibition commemorate the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the people who defeated fascism. The images are not only historic moments but first of all - human faces of the war and humane perception of the tragedy and scourge of the war. Next day, May the 5th the ceremony of planting of the Tree of Peace and Unity was held at the UN Headquarters by the initiative of 46 UN Member States. The weeping cherry tree that has been chosen for planting is a symbol of mourning for the fallen. The white color of its flowers in different cultures symbolizes purity and rebirth, as well as the call for reconciliation. The ceremony was opened by the UN Secretary-General, who in his address paid tribute to all victims of the Second World War and called for the joint efforts to avoid war tragedies and conflicts in the future. The event followed by the special solemn meeting of the UN General Assembly, dedicated to the victims of the Second World War. The commemorative practice began in 2004 when the UN General Assembly declared May 8-9 as the remembrance and reconciliation days. A week of commemorative events will end on May 6 with the concert of the Russian State Jazz Music Chamber Orchestra of Oleg Lundstrem, performing famous music of WWII.