Interesting post Gromozeka! Funny song!

Actually, 9 May is not celebrated much as peace day in Europe anymore. Ages back, in my childhood, I can remember some events - nothing grand like Russia etc has, but peace rallies and manifestations. I was in a choir and we used to sing peace themed songs in public places. There were features on TV about Victory Day and anti-war type documentaries. It was a happy day, as I remember it, but it is hardly celebrated anymore - I think the farther away the Cold War is in peoples memories, the less revelvant it feels.

30 November used to be a sort of peace related day in Sweden because it is the day that Karl XII an important historical king was killed, an important victorious battle in the 30 day war, and the end of Swedens empire. Lately it has become a day for marches by nationalists and neo nazis.

The UK has a war memorial day at a different day - 11 November. It has some historical significant but it is not a happy day but a rather somber day to remember those that died in the UKs many wars... particularly WW 1 and 2 but also recent conflicts. They sound the air raid sirens across London, and there is a silent minute.

British war memorials are usually obelisks and people put red flowers by the war memorials. There are some parades by war veterans and this is shown on TV along with some patriotic music. During the weeks leading up to 11 November many people, particularly men, wear a red carnation to show support for soldiers.

The European Union is trying to adopt 9 May as the EU national day "Europe day" but it is going quite slowly since all countries already have the own national day. If they were serious about it, they should make it a holiday across the EU - that way Europeans would be off on the same day as everyone in ex-USSR countries. I quite like this idea. 1 May is beginning to feel like a meaningless holiday. What is the point of "organised" protests and demonstrations? IMHO 1 May could be scrapped as a holiday in favour of 9 May, I think.

"Europe day"