Victory Day – May 9
Every year on May 9, Serbia, along with many countries around the world, commemorates Victory Day over Fascism – the day in 1945 when World War II ended in Europe. On that day, Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender, bringing an end to one of the darkest chapters in modern human history.
While most Western countries observe Victory Day on May 8, in Serbia and other nations that were part of the anti-fascist struggle under the influence of the Soviet Union, the holiday is celebrated on May 9 – corresponding to the time the news of the capitulation reached Moscow. This makes the day more than just a reminder – it is deeply rooted in the collective identity and historical memory of the Balkan peoples.
In Serbia, Victory Day is inextricably linked with remembrance of the enormous sacrifices made during the fight against Nazism. During World War II, almost every family lost someone close – whether as a fighter in the partisan ranks, a member of the resistance, or a civilian victim of Nazi, Ustaše, and fascist terror.
In recent years, memorial marches known as the “Immortal Regiment” have been held throughout Serbia, where people of all generations carry photos of their ancestors – war heroes, soldiers, mothers, and fathers who perished or survived, but were never forgotten. These photos, proudly held high above the crowd, become living witnesses of the past – a message that heroism and sacrifice will not be erased.
This day also holds strong symbolism of hope and future. After the horrors of war, the world chose peace, cooperation, and renewal. That is why May 9 is also marked as Europe Day – a reminder of the ideals of unity, reconciliation, and a shared European identity.
Let the memory of May 9 be more than protocol – let it be a sincere act of respect, gratitude, and a commitment to preserve what was so hard-won: freedom, human dignity, and the right to live without fear.
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