PRESS RELEASE

Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian ambassadors mark the 70th anniversary of the invasion of the Soviet Union

Berlin, 25 January 2011 – "Living the legacy of World War II in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine today" – taking this theme, the ambassadors of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus will discuss the consequences and memories of the Second World War from their individual national perspectives. The panel discussion opens a series of events that the Foundation EVZ is organising this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the invasion of the Soviet Union. The event will be chaired by former TV journalist Dirk Sager. “We at the Foundation EVZ feel it important to draw attention to the impact the invasion of the Soviet Union had on the civilian victims. They are still suffering from the direct consequences, the painful memories and decades of neglect”, says Günter Saathoff, Co-Director of the Foundation.
For more information on this and other events on this theme go to:
www.stiftung-evz.de/termine/2011/podiumsgespraech-70-jahre-ueberfall-auf-die-sowjetunion

Panel discussion
Living the legacy of World War II in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine today
The war against the Soviet Union was from the outset a racist war of destruction. The real impacts of the war are still being felt today, especially by the civilian population. The Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian ambassadors will speak about the lasting memories and different views of history. The invasion of the Soviet Union – a transnational experience?

Programme and participants
Welcome and opening address
Erhard Weimann, State Secretary and Plenipotentiary of the Free State of Saxony in Berlin
Günter Saathoff, Co-Director of the Foundation EVZ
Panel
Natalia Zarudna, Ambassador of Ukraine
Vladimir M. Grinin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation
Andrei Giro, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus
Moderator
Dirk Sager, journalist
followed by a reception

Venue and date
Tuesday, 25 January 2011 at 18:00
at the Representative Office of the Free State of Saxony in Berlin, Brüderstrasse 11/12, 10178 Berlin-Mitte

Contact:
Foundation EVZ
Press and public relations
Franka Kühn
Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 259297-76
kuehn@stiftung-evz.de  
www.stiftung-evz.de