Moscow Promotes Patriotism With Street Names

MOSCOW, May 13 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow authorities have decided to name a new street planned to be laid out in the southwest of the Russian capital “Battle of Stalingrad Street” to mark a key victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.

The decision was made on April 24 following an initiative by Irina Yarovaya, head of the State Duma Security and Anticorruption Committee.

Russia commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the epic 200-day Battle of Stalingrad on February 2.

The battle began on July 17, 1942 and ended on February 2, 1943 with the surrender of the Axis forces. A total of around two million people were killed on both sides. The battle became one of the key symbols of victory in Russia.

In the past few years, the Russian leadership has been putting increasing emphasis on patriotism as a national idea capable of consolidating Russian society and inspiring future generations, after Russia suffered a serious blow to its national identity with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In the most recent move, Russian President Vladimir Putin reinstated in March the Soviet-era Hero of Labor title, which was scrapped almost two decades ago.

The award, established under the rule of Josef Stalin, was widely used to praise civilian workers for their labor achievements and to boost output.