Victory Day is the most popular Russian holiday. Year by year more Russians take part in the Immortal Regiment march.
MOSCOW, May 7, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to Victory Day.
This year every fifth Russian is going to congratulate the veterans of the Great Patriotic War on Victory Day (20%); every second Russian is willing to take part in May 9 celebrations (48%).
Russians consider that the May 9 Parade makes people remember the Russian history and national heroism (36%). This day is also a tribute to the memory of those who died and serves to show gratitude to the predecessors (30%). According to respondents, celebrations help instill patriotism in the young generation and give an opportunity to show country’s military strength (17%, each).
The Immortal Regiment march held on May 9 has become widely popular. Year by year the number of Russians willing to participate in it is increasing (30% in 2019 vs 27% in 2018 and 24% in 2017).
The Immortal Regiment march evokes pride for the fathers and grandfathers and the country, as well as the memories and willingness to take care of the veterans. Russians have ambiguous emotions regarding the march and the holiday itself: they feel pain and sorrow (11%), and joy and happiness (10%) at the same time.
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 3, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The 2010-2015 results are based on household surveys.
May 9th, Victory Day, is approaching. How are you going to spend it? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | |||
| 2012 | 2018 | 2019 |
I will take part in celebrations (parades, wreath-laying ceremony, marches, etc.) | 37 | 55 | 48 |
I will congratulate the veterans | - | - | 20 |
I will watch the fireworks | 28 | 31 | 19 |
I will have guests; I will go to friends’ house | 25 | 24 | 18 |
I will watch TV | 26 | 22 | 20 |
I will have a walk, rest in the countryside (picnic, barbecue. etc.) | 28 | 21 | 17 |
I will work | 6 | 17 | 14 |
I will be at my garden plot | 12 | 16 | 16 |
Housekeeping | 13 | 15 | 14 |
I will go to the cinema/ theatre/concert | 2 | 4 | 3 |
I will go to the restaurant/club/party | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Other | 2 | 11 | 1 |
I wills stay at home (from “other”) | - | - | 2 |
I will travel (from “other”) | - | - | 1 |
I will visit the graves of my relatives (from “other”) | - | - | 1 |
Don’t know | 3 | 1 | 0 |
On May 9th, Victory Parade will take place in Moscow and other Russian cities. In your opinion, what is the purpose of May 9 Parade? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 2010 | 2015 | 2018 | 2019 |
Not to forget the history of our country, heroism of people | 31 | 47 | 34 | 36 |
Tribute to those who died in the war, gratitude to the predecessors | 20 | 15 | 32 | 30 |
To show military strength | 18 | 12 | 21 | 17 |
To instill patriotism in young people, to tell about Russian history | 11 | 11 | 19 | 17 |
To bring joy to those veterans who are alive, to congratulate them | 9 | 12 | 8 | 13 |
Good tradition, holiday | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
Unity of people, generations | 8 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
To feel pride for the country and the victory | 5 | 4 | 8 | |
Senseless event, showing off | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
To show grandeur and strength of our country | - | - | - | 2 |
To make people confident they are protected | - | - | - | 1 |
Big and great holiday | - | - | - | 5 |
Mass celebrations, festivity / Joy | - | - | - | 2 |
To make people remember how awful war is | - | - | - | 2 |
To mark the victory day / Symbol of victory | - | - | - | 5 |
It is beautiful and decent | - | - | - | 1 |
It is needed and important for people | - | - | - | 1 |
Other | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Don’t know | 15 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
On May 9th, the Immortal Regiment march has been held in many Russian cities recently; hundreds of thousands of people carry the portraits of their relatives who fought in WWII. Have you heard about this march? If yes, have you ever participated in it? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)* | |||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
I heard about the march and I participated | 24 | 27 | 30 |
I heard about the march but I never participated | 71 | 71 | 67 |
I hear about it for the first time | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* In 2017, the question was as follows: “Last year, the “Immortal Regiment” march was held in many Russian cities to commemorate the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). Hundreds of thousands of people carried the portraits of their relatives who fought in the war. Have you heard about this march? If yes, have you participated in it?”
What is your attitude toward the Immortal Regiment march? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| May 16-17, 2015 | May 14-15, 2016 | April 29 –May 2, 2017 | May 3, 2019 |
Definitely positive | 81 | 82 | 81 | 77 |
Rather positive | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 |
Rather negative | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Definitely negative | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Don’t know | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
What emotions, feelings does the Immortal Regiment march evoke in you? Up to 4 answers (open-ended question, up to 4 answers) | |
Total respondents | |
Pride for fathers and grandfathers, for the country | 42 |
Memory of war / memory of relatives / care for veterans | 21 |
Pain / bitterness / sorrow / sadness | 11 |
Joy / happiness | 10 |
Positive / strong emotions / lofty sentiments | 9 |
Tears | 8 |
Excitement / emotional stress / anxiety | 8 |
Gratitude for the victory / life | 6 |
Grief for the dead | 6 |
Respect | 5 |
Patriotism | 5 |
Action uniting people/ national cohesion / importance of this event | 5 |
Delight / admiration / enthusiasm | 4 |
It touches my heart / it gives me the shivers | 3 |
Education of young people | 3 |
Russia’s grandeur / revival of everything / confidence in the future | 2 |
Negative perceptions | 2 |
Indifferent / no emotions | 1 |
Sense of duty | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Mixed feelings | 0 |
Shock | 0 |
Don’t know | 16 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!