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Seventy-six years ago, in 1945, the Second World War, the most destructive and bloodiest conflict in the history of humankind ended.

In Uzbekistan, over 1.9 million people were mobilized to the front. During the war years, the country became a reliable base for providing a wide range of supplies to the front such as military equipment including ammunition, food, and clothing.  In particular, the front was supplied with 22 million mines, 560 000 shells, 2.3 million aerial bombs and 1 million grenades, all made by workers of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan provided roof and food to almost 1.5 million people, including more than 250 000 evacuated children. It must be stressed that none of the children ended up in an orphanage – a large number of families in Uzbekistan took them and the children became beloved family members.

The peoples of Uzbekistan showed their deep generosity and kindness by giving love and care to all those who were left homeless.

We may never forget lessons of that terrible war (As George Santayana eloquently said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”) and we must ensure an excellent future for everybody, establishing a genuine culture of peace together with the intellectual and moral solidarity of all peoples.

The UNESCO Tashkent Office most warmly congratulates all veterans of war and labour and all peoples of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Great Victory in the Second World War and on the Day of Memory and Honours.

Let peace and harmony always reign in Uzbekistan, like in the rest of the world. We wish all the people of Uzbekistan every success, good health and prosperity!

Photo: Eternal Flame and Mourning Mother Monument in Tashkent, Uzbekistan