When and who came up with the "Immortal Regiment"?

Who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" when this initiative became popular among the people, and how many heroes does this story have? The idea of creation belongs to a pensioner from Tyumen, and it became known because of the efforts of Tomsk journalists. Then the initiative was intercepted by the federal authorities, which should be discussed separately.

Operation "interception"

Why was the popularly popular action intercepted by TV-2? There are several reasons for this. First, the anniversary of the Great Victory was approaching, and the celebration was to be made as large as possible. Including, and financially. After all, journalists from Tomsk worked exclusively on "desire": if you want, come to the action, if you want - no. So to collect millions is unlikely to succeed. Then the task was assigned to the "All-Russian Popular Front", as real experts on issues of mass meetings.

There were also political reasons lying in the liberal roots of the Tomsk television channel. The action was to demonstrate the maximum unity of our compatriots in the face of a noble goal, and Putin's ONF was much better for this than the Tomsk TV-2. After that, the "people's fronts" practically forgot about who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" first, and took the whole initiative on organizing the march to themselves.

The new story of the "Immortal Regiment"

The consequences of this decision did not take long. Many publications, not to mention the users of social networks, began to resent the undeserved "pulling" of the shares from its founders. The president's press secretary had no choice but to call the action "a popular impulse" and to declare the proceedings inaccurate with the authorship. And then ONF and at all rewrote the story of who invented the "Immortal Regiment." This story looked like this.

A prophetic dream: who came up with the "Immortal Regiment"?

Examples of how great thoughts come to the ingenious people in a dream are many. So it happened with this action. The idea to carry portraits of the deceased veterans in the march dedicated to the Victory Day came in a dream to Gennady Ivanov, the son of a famous order bearer. It is he who is famous, as the person who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" in 2007.

And the dream of the descendant of the hero had a dream on the eve of the May holidays. He himself describes what he saw: "May 9th, official ceremony, grand parade. Sounds great song "Holy War". On the main street of Tyumen, a multitude of thousands of people begin their march, each with portraits of relatives who died in the Great Patriotic War. " This dream was so impressive to Gennady Ivanov that he decided to do everything possible to bring this action to life.

«Portrait at the parade»

It was this name that was first worn by the action "Immortal Regiment". Many residents of Tyumen took part in it, and what is especially important is the grandsons and great-grandsons of the heroes. Subsequently, the Tyumen initiative was supported by the rest of Russia: a couple of years later, marches with portraits took place in Novosibirsk, Kazan, Kemerovo and many other cities.

In 2012, the initiative finally reached Tomsk. Here the action was called "Immortal Regiment", which immediately had a liking. It was decided to leave it to this day.

How was everything in reality?

Contradictions in this story, of course, a lot. Starting from the absence of mentioning the name of Gennady Ivanov in the official press, and ending with the very absurdity of the idea that such an action could begin because of one dream. The question of who came up with the immortal regiment would remain open to this day, and perhaps ONF would be able to take away from Tomsk journalists not only the action, but the very idea.

However, in the archives of the regional press it was possible to find records about the pensioner and public figure Gennady Ivanov, who indeed published his thoughts on this matter in 2007, in the newspaper Tyumen News. In short, the idea at that time was, and there is no doubt about the year the immortal regiment was invented. Only in 2007, the action itself was not held yet. She was at the very least picked up in 2008, in the retiree's hometown and under his initiative. Then in the column was only one line of people with portraits of veterans.

Gennady Ivanov with all his heart fought for the action and sought to ensure that it took on as large a scale as possible. Therefore, he sent requests for support of the action not only to all regions of the country, but also to the republics of the near abroad. Let everyone know who invented the immortal regiment in Russia, and support a noble initiative!

What a pensioner wrote newspapers

The idea did not go unnoticed by the press. That's what they wrote about Gennady Ivanov in the press.

• In the publication "Kuzbass" in 2009 it was pointed out that an unusual letter with an original idea from the inhabitant of Tyumen came to the editorial office. Festive demonstrations on Victory Day are always held according to the standard scenario: artificial flowers, parade, balloons ... And what if to make portraits of hero warriors the main distinguishing sign of this day? You do not need any frills for this, just find the old photo of the veteran and attach it to the shaft.
• In 2010, the newspaper "Ulyanovskaya Pravda" also published information that on May 9, Victory Day, the main attribute will be the faces of the heroes of this holiday. Photos of veterans on the initiative of a resident of Tyumen will carry the participants of the festive parade, including the descendants of the fallen soldiers.
• The newspaper "Red North" in 2013 also mentioned that now the parade of the winners is not just words and not a one-day action, which tomorrow will sink into oblivion. Veterans really are present at the festive procession - even on photographs. The faces of the heroes of war can and should become the main feature of the Victory Day!
• In the same year, the edition Rabochy Krai confirmed in its publication that the idea belonged to Gennady Ivanov, a member of the Union of Journalists. The editors agreed that the idea that he is proposing is very interesting and relevant. How to make the winning heroes the main participants in the Victory Day? In the photos! Many, before finding them in old family albums, will rediscover the book of memories and learn a lot of new things. Children will learn to appreciate courage and courage, will have more respect for veterans. All this will bring much more benefit than, for example, flash mobs for creating huge St. George ribbons. Real memory is not at all the size of the tape, it's in the faces of veterans, and they must be present next to us on this great day.

Responses of the central press

But all this is a regional press, but the central television channels and serious publications have never mentioned the letters of Gennady Ivanov. Only after on TV-2 for the first time the idea was shown on television, it was noticed and rightly appreciated. Only here about the pensioner preferred not to mention, and thus, information about who came up with the action "Immortal Regiment", remained unclear.

• The newspaper "Izvestia" in 2013 published data that the idea of the action first appeared in Tomsk, but today it is implemented in more than one hundred cities and towns. People come to the parade with photos of fallen soldiers to solemnly carry them through the streets.
• In 2014, the newspaper "Zavtra" was also told that in 2012 in Tomsk a remarkable initiative was launched, aimed at the unity of the inhabitants in the face of the great Victory. Everyone can participate in it. Now six countries and more than 120 Russian cities take part in this action.
• In the same year 2014, the publication Novye Izvestia decided to publish an article about the celebration of the Victory Day. It said that every year there are fewer veterans and more and more empty seats. Therefore, it was decided to take photographs of the soldiers who gave their lives in that distant war along the main streets of Tomsk. Today this noble action was picked up already in many other cities.
• In 2014, RIA Novosti also told that for the first time the action "Immortal Regiment" was held two years ago in Tomsk. At that time it was relatively small in scale: portraits of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, participants in the Great Patriotic War, carried only 5 thousand people. But the initiative so fell in love that a year later it was supported by 200 thousand participants. The parades of the "Immortal Regiment" were held not only in our country, but also in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. And in 2014, the residents of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Israel will join the rally.

As you can see, each edition tells about when and where the "Immortal Regiment" was invented - in Tomsk, in 2012. But the author prefers to keep silent about the author of this action.

Tomsk or Tyumen?

The initiative, which originated allegedly in Tomsk, was gaining momentum. Later, to call her "Immortal Regiment" were also in Tyumen. Only the locals, bearing the portraits of veterans, did not forget about who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" first. And with every mention of the action, it was always stressed that its author and initiator is their countryman.

The journalist himself who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" reacted with some resentment to this state of affairs. In 2014, the Tyumen News published his letter, which stated that in recent years the action, in which the main "participants" are portraits of fallen soldiers, is better known as the "Immortal Regiment". But in fact, the name took root only 5 years after the first parade with photos of veterans was held in Tyumen. Allegedly, the idea was used by larger TV channels and radio holdings. Of course, they have much more opportunities than a simple freelance correspondent ...

Not knowing the reliable information about who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" in Russia first, indeed, one might think that he was born in Tomsk. But this is not so. And the author who came up with this action is not at all vain and does not want his name mentioned everywhere. But it's one thing - speaking about how the scale of this project is gaining, not to mention who invented the "Immortal Regiment" and where it was for the first time. And quite another is to deliberately distort history, giving priority to creating an initiative to an entirely different city. Tyumen, and not Tomsk - the hometown of Gennady Ivanov! It was here that the "Immortal Regiment" was born. And this can not be hushed up!

Do you know who invented the "Immortal Regiment" in Russia?

Photo of Gennady Ivanov is not mentioned in the press. The freelance journalist himself, of course, did not possess a large media capability, and his voice was poorly audible, drowned out by more serious "sharks of the pen." But still, it is not worth forgetting about the pensioner's initiative, about the idea that he came up with the idea to perpetuate the faces of veteran heroes in his memory.

About Gennady Kirillovich almost did not remember for all these 8 years, since 2009. The authorities, which he himself wrote, remained indifferent to the venture. Initiative in his hometown, he was engaged alone. However, the real dream of the pensioner went only when the idea fell into the hands of journalists of TV-2. They made the action truly popular. In a word, the question of who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" in Russia, and who developed this initiative, is controversial and ambiguous.

Tips from Gennady Ivanov for those who want to take part in the action

Before the solemn parade in 2017, the creator of the "Immortal Regiment" held a press conference, where he answered questions and gave useful advice to the people of Tyumen.

• Even if you do not have a photo of a veteran, it does not matter. Indicate on the pillar the name, patronymic and surname of the hero, his military rank, and this will be enough. You can additionally place the logo of the action on the plate and decorate it with St. George ribbon.
• Going to have a long time, but before that have to stand up. Therefore, take care of comfortable shoes. You need to dress for the weather. Do not forget to bring a bottle of water and, if you wish, something to eat.
• The formation of the rank in Tyumen engaged in special volunteers. They build people and make sure that everyone can take part in the procession. Depending on the size of the column, it can stretch for several streets.
• Particular attention in the process of the action "Immortal Regiment" is paid to the absence of intrusive advertising and information banners. In past years, some organizations managed to carry their own symbols alongside the St. George ribbons. This is simply unacceptable.
• It is not necessary to register for the participation in the procession. All that is required is to arrive at the appointed time at the place of collection, and if necessary, fill out a small questionnaire right on the spot. In it, you will be asked if you are ready to take on volunteer duties or to participate later in other similar events.
• If for some reason you can not take part in the festive parade, but you want to perpetuate the memory of the heroes, you can attach a small portrait of the soldier at the heart - as a breast badge.

How to prepare a portrait and how to carry it?

Despite the differences in the question of who invented the "Immortal Regiment" in Russia, this action, first of all, is aimed at reviving the memory of the heroes and defenders of our country. Therefore, you can take a photo not only of your relative or family member, but, in principle, any hero of the Great Patriotic War. This is exactly what Gennady Ivanov himself thinks is the one who came up with the "Immortal Regiment". The photo can be any size, let it be even small, because the main thing is memory! But, as a rule, printed portraits of A3 format are used in processions. Such a photo will be seen from afar.

A photo found in a family album or any other place, you need to scan, add to it the name and title of the hero, and then print the image in the desired format. And it does not matter when this picture was taken - last year or even before the Great Patriotic War. By the way, in many cities print portraits of veterans can be for free - though in A4 format. To make a printout larger, you will have to pay extra.

After the portrait is ready, you will only have to protect it in case of bad weather. Suitable film, for example, a regular file, and the image can be immediately ordered laminated. But it's not recommended to place a photo under the glass.

To carry a portrait on the pillar or in the hands is a private matter for everyone. The fact is that it is physically impossible for anyone to carry a photo of his hero in the front rows of the column. Therefore, so that the picture was visible from afar, it can be attached to a special pillar. You can buy already ready or make it yourself - it's not so difficult.

It is worth thinking about the design of not only the front, but also the reverse side of the portrait, if you carry it on the pillar above your head. Often this is forgotten, so that an unsightly sight appears in the back in the form of dirty plastic or a rough piece of plywood. Even if you simply glue the reverse side with white paper or write a few words about the hero's exploit, this will look much better.

Now you know all about how to take part in the action, who came up with the "Immortal Regiment" first in fact, and why this story has so many contradictions.