St Petersburg University in Cairo pays tribute to heroes of World War II

Russian and Egyptian students and staff of St Petersburg University in Cairo, along with honoured guests from the Russian Embassy and the Russian House, took part in the commemorative activities. The organisers’ main aim was to: preserve the historical memory of the heroic deeds of the Soviet people in their fight against fascism; foster a sense of patriotism and respect for veterans among young people; promote the cultural traditions and historical heritage of Russia; and strengthen international ties between students of the two countries.

Students of St Petersburg University studying on the African continent joined the international ‘Immortal Regiment’ campaign, which brought together several hundred participants. Russian compatriots and local residents took to the streets with portraits of their ancestors who lost their lives fighting fascism.

As part of the Victory anniversary celebrations, the University in Cairo organised an exhibition entitled ‘Their feat is immortal’, presented by specialists from the Russian News Agency TASS. Based on photographs taken by frontline correspondents between 1941 and 1945, the exhibition provided documentary evidence of the heroism of Soviet soldiers and officers. Organised on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II, the exhibition enabled participants to reflect on the past and honour the memory of those who defended the world at the cost of their lives.

Teaching students at St Petersburg University in Cairo—established as one of the strategic projects of Russian—Egyptian cooperation—began in 2023 with three specialist’s programmes: ‘General Medicine’; ‘Dental Medicine’; and ‘Pharmacy’. The University branch was established with the support of the Egyptian company Modern Group, which specialises in providing services to the education, pharmaceutical, and construction industries. Upon successful completion of their academic programmes, students will receive diplomas of St Petersburg University.

The series of commemorative events extended beyond a visual representation of the tragic years of the war. In a speech delivered before the start of the celebratory concert, Georgiy Borisenko, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Egypt, expressed his gratitude to the Allied nations, noting their decisive role in containing and subsequently defeating Nazi Germany and Italian fascist forces in Africa. The head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Egypt emphasised that Russia preserves the historical truth about the events of World War II, particularly the major battles fought on foreign soil, and thanked the Allies for preventing the further spread of German Nazism in the region.

The concert programme included well-known songs from the war years: Katyusha, Dark is the Night, Ballad of a Mother, Silence on Mamayev Kurgan, among others. Students also recited poems about the war and the exploits of soldiers, performed the dance Cranes, and presented reports on monuments to World War II and the defence of the Brest Fortress.

To conclude the evening of remembrance, flowers were laid at the Eternal Flame. Students and staff honoured the memory of the heroes with a minute’s silence and showed their support for the annual campaign ‘The ribbon of St George’, which symbolises the unbreakable link between generations and the preservation of historical continuity.