In Irkutsk, the first stage of the Remember Me campaign has ended. At the Eternal Flame memorial, the Wall of Memory opens with thousands of photos of World War II participants and home front veterans, as well as wartime letters. On June 21 there will be a children's program, an evening ceremony, orchestra and performers, and public transport will run until 00.30. Organizers say the campaign will continue, and all collected materials will be posted on the website and corrected promptly if needed.

The result of the first stage of the campaign was the creation of the “Wall of Memory” - an open-air exhibition featuring photographs of participants in the Great Patriotic War and home front veterans. On the square near the “Eternal Flame” memorial, 60 double-sided stands have been installed. Each contains about 120 photographs, as well as letters from the war years from the collections of the Irkutsk City History Museum. In total, there are about 7,000 photographs on the stands. Under each photograph is the full name. The photographs are arranged on the stands in the order in which the images were received. Therefore, one of the 60 stands is informational and logistical. With its help, knowing a person’s surname, one can find the number of the side of the stand on which his or her photograph is located.
On June 21, a tent for the stand coordinators will be set up near the “Wall of Memory.” Two coordinators will be in the tent at all times, and another 3 people will work directly at the stands. The coordinators’ tasks include helping to find photographs and correcting inaccuracies. The tent will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
“I would like once again to thank everyone who took part in the campaign. Almost 13,000 families found unique photographs in their family albums. Along with the photos, we collected stories about the heroes of the war. All of them will be posted on the campaign website. Of course, inaccuracies or errors may arise. We had a large volume of material and little experience in conducting such events. I ask everyone to understand this. Technically, there is a provision to correct as quickly as possible any errors that may be made, for example, in printing names or surnames. Our ‘hotline’ will continue to operate. Questions can be asked by calling 62-00-70,” said Duma Speaker Andrey Labygin.
On June 21, on the eve of the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, the opening of the “Wall of Memory” will take place. From 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., an event for children will be held near the “Eternal Flame” memorial. The children will be told about the goals of the campaign, and city leaders and WWII veterans will greet them. Creative groups from the city will perform on the improvised stage. A field kitchen will be operating, and there will also be a display of weapon samples and military uniforms. The results of the themed drawing contest will be announced. War newsreels will be shown on the stage screen.
At 8:30 p.m., a ceremonial event will take place near the “Eternal Flame” memorial. The program includes a performance by the symphony orchestra under the direction of I. Lapinsh, performances by creative groups, and speeches by city leaders and WWII veterans. Actor Alexander Nosik will read poetry and prose about the war from the stage.
Public transport service on this day will be extended until 12:30 a.m.
Viktor Kondrashov emphasized that the opening of the “Wall of Memory” marks only the completion of the first stage of the “Remember Me” campaign. Starting June 22, photographs can still be scanned at scanning centers located in 18 municipal libraries, as well as in city schools. You can also independently send photos and information electronically to pomni@admirk.ru. The campaign tent will operate until June 22. Work continues on filling the campaign website pomni-irk.ru. By mid-July, all submitted photographs will be posted on the website.
“The campaign will definitely continue. We can say that it is open-ended. Because memory has no statute of limitations. The question is now being decided as to when the second stage of the campaign will end, that is, when the remaining photographs will be displayed. Two dates are being considered - the beginning of September this year or May 9, 2014,” said Viktor Kondrashov.

Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk city administration