Victory Day has become Russian main holiday. The Victory Parade and the Immortal Regiment March are increasingly popular.
MOSCOW, May 8, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to Victory Day.
Over the recent years the importance of Victory Day has considerably increased and the holiday has become the main one in Russia. Today much more Russians plan to participate in the celebrations than several years ago (55% in 2018 vs. 37% in 2012). Every third (31%) is going to watch the fireworks; every fourth (24%) to spend time with the family.
An overwhelming majority of Russians are attracted by the Victory Parade and show higher personal involvement: indeed, in 2018 the share of respondents who say that they have previously attended the Victory Parades is 29%, compared to 10% in 2010. Two-thirds (65%) report to have watched the broadcasts.
The Victory Day Parade is needed to keep the memory of human heroism in the Great Patriotic War (34%), to express gratitude to the predecessors (32%). Russians also say that the celebrations contribute to youth patriotic upbringing (19%). On the other hand, the parade is more often perceived as an opportunity to show national military power (21%).
The Immortal Regiment March traditionally held on May 9th has become widely popular in Russia: 98% of Russians have heard about it, including 27% of those who personally attended.
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 2-3, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, 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.
Victory Day is coming! How are you going to celebrate May 9th? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of all respondents) | ||
| 2012 | 2018 |
I will take part in celebrations (parades, wreath-laying ceremony, marches, et cet.) | 37 | 55 |
I will watch the fireworks | 28 | 31 |
I will have friends over; I will visit friends | 25 | 24 |
I will watch TV | 26 | 22 |
I will have a walk, go to the country (picnic, shashlik, et cet.) | 28 | 21 |
I will work | 6 | 17 |
I will be busy with my dacha | 12 | 16 |
I will be busy with my household chores | 13 | 15 |
I will go to the cinema, theatre, a concert | 2 | 4 |
I will go to the restaurant, night club, a dance party | 2 | 2 |
Other | 2 | 11 |
Don’t know | 3 | 1 |
The Victory Parade will be held on May 9th all across Russia. In your opinion, what is the essence of May 9 Parade? (open-ended question, not more than 5 answers, % of all respondents) | |||
| 2010 | 2015 | 2018 |
Not to forget the Russian history, people’s heroism | 31 | 47 | 34 |
Tribute to the memory of those who fell in battle, to express gratitude to the predecessors | 20 | 15 | 32 |
To show country’s military strength | 18 | 12 | 21 |
Patriotic upbringing of the youth, a way to tell about Russia’s history | 11 | 11 | 19 |
To bring joy to the veterans, to congratulate them | 9 | 12 | 8 |
A good tradition, holiday | 4 | 3 | 7 |
National cohesion, uniting generations | 8 | 3 | 6 |
To feel proud of country and the victory | 5 | 4 | |
Senseless event, show-off | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Don’t know | 15 | 12 | 12 |
Do you personally watch the Victory Parade? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | |||
| 2010 | 2015 | 2018 |
Yes, I personally attend it | 10 | 18 | 29 |
Yes, I watch the parade broadcasts on TV | 73 | 73 | 65 |
No, I am not interested in this event | 13 | 8 | 3 |
Don’t know | 4 | 1 | 3 |
In recent years the Immortal Regiment March has been held in many Russian cities. Hundreds of thousands of people carry portraits of their relatives who participated in the WWII. Did you hear about this march? If yes, have you ever participated in it or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)* | ||
| 2017 | 2018 |
I heard about this march and participated in it | 24 | 27 |
I heard about this march but never participated in it | 71 | 71 |
This is the first time I hear about that | 5 | 2 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 |
* In 2017, the question was “Last year the Immortal Regiment March took place in Moscow and other cities: hundreds of thousands of people carried portraits of their relatives who participated in the WWII. Did you hear about this march? If yes, have you ever participated in it or not?
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!