On August 1, at the day of the 100-th anniversary of Russia entry into the World War I, the solemn opening of large-scale monument to the heroes of 1914-1918 war took place in Moscow at Poklonnaya Hill.

The event is among the central ones in the series of commemorative events to keep the eternal memory of the heroism of Russian soldiers and officers who died in World War I.

The opening ceremony was headed by the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The event was also attended by the Chairman of Russian Military and Historical Society, the Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky, the Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin, the Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

In his speech the President has noted that a soldier of World War I, his battle comrades received their rightful place at Poklonnaya Hill that keeps the grateful remembrance of battle glory of Russian army, all those who at different stages of this state history were defending its independence, dignity and freedom.

In the center of the composition there is the figure of a soldier of the World War I. "The main hero of the World War I is a simple Russian soldier who withstood all hardships of the war. Such plain soldier has become the hero of the monument" – commented Vladimir Medinsky when opening the memorial. He has also noted that until recently there were hardly any monuments in Russia dedicated to World War I. "Now it’s the time to pay the tribute to the memory", – said Vladimir Medinsky.

The monument is built on the people money. The funds were donated by Russian and foreign citizens, individuals, non-governmental organizations and institutions.

For reference:

In 2014, four monuments and memorial signs were set. Two of them in Moscow: one is the monument opened on August 1 to the heroes of the World War I at Poklonnaya Hill and the other – the monument “Farewell of Slavic woman” opened on May 8 at Belorussky railway station. On May 30 the monument to the heroes of the World War I was opened in Kaliningrad.

On June 21 in the city of Banja-Luka, in the Republic of Sebia, the bust of Nicholas II was set.

Until the end of 2014 five more monuments to the heroes of the World War I are planned to be opened in the regions of Russian Federation: in Pskov, Lipetsk, Tula, Saransk and Gusev (Kaliningrad region).

In October 2014 the monument to the Emperor Nicholas II is scheduled to be opened in Belgrade (Serbia).

The source: the Press-service of the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation