On excursions in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, people did not hesitate to wipe away tears

Rainy weather did not become an obstacle to the cancellation of excursions. The spirit of celebration and respect for history were preserved. The organizers – the Primorsky regional branch of the RGS-OIAC and the Tourist Information Center of the Primorsky Territory (Visit Primorye) – provided alternative formats of participation, and instead of walking in the open air, guests were invited to the lecture hall of the Library of the Amur Region Research Society. It was here that a rich program unfolded, in which the story sounded like the voices of guides and came to life in stories about people, exploits and naval traditions.

The start of the marathon of excursions was given by local historian and member of the Primorsky branch of the RGS-OIAC Vladislav Kupchik, who presented the "Traditions of the Navy" to residents and guests of Vladivostok. His account of the midday gunshot, whipping, flag-raising and pennant ceremonies, and the differences between ship and ship aroused keen interest, not only because of the historical details, but also because of the sincerity with which he spoke of maritime brotherhood.

The tour "Fire Flights", presented by Olga Kuzmenko, touched the hearts of the listeners. Before the participants of this route unfolded the story of merchant ships and sailors of the merchant fleet, departing on flights along the Eastern corridor in complete radio silence, alone, unaccompanied, with vital cargo, risking everything for the sake of Victory. The routes passed through areas of active hostilities and solid minefields. They could be attacked by an enemy submarine at any time. And even though the merchant fleet was not a combat unit, it was an important help to the fighters: tanks and aircraft, trucks, ammunition, as well as other vital goods in wartime were on Lend-Lease. At the end of the tour, the participants admitted that they knew little about this page of history, and it is such stories that make the past closer and clearer.

> No less impressive was the excursion of Svetlana Sobolevskaya, a local historian and member of the RGS-OIAC, - "Underwater Fleet of the Pacific Fleet: 80 years of the Great Victory." She spoke about the emergence of Russian submarine forces in the Far East since 1904 and about the contribution of Pacific submariners to the Victory, about the courage and dedication that have become an integral part of the history of the region. The end of the day was Margarita Filippova’s excursion “Arctic Hunter of the Pacific Fleet”, dedicated to the S-56 submarine, which passed around the world and became a symbol of courage and resilience for several generations of Russians. Listeners responded that the story of real people and their exploits allows you to feel the era much deeper than the dry pages of textbooks.

After each lecture, participants stayed to discuss what they heard, ask questions, and share emotions. These discussions became an integral part of the event, turning the lectures into a lively dialogue of generations. Comments from participants highlighted the importance of such initiatives.

Patriotism begins with respect for the past. Such excursions are not just facts, they are living stories that form a personal connection with our history, says history teacher Elena K.

It is very important that students and students come to such events. Young people should know not only the educational dates, but also the real fates through which our country has passed, added FEFU student Alexei I.

" It was informal, really touching. It is not surprising that in moments people wiped away the incoming tears. After such meetings, I really want to learn more and share this knowledge, said Tatiana P.

> These events became more than just an introduction to history – they became a space of memory, dialogue and inspiration. These meetings showed how education, love for the native land and respect for the exploits of ancestors can unite people and pass on meaningful values to younger generations.

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