On August 30, a large-scale patriotic event “Join the Army of Victory!” took place in Kazan at the site near the Kazan Family Center. Here’s what the organizers prepared for residents and guests of the city.
The area near the “Bowl” today resembled a lively military camp. Guests were greeted by tents of the Russian Army, the African Corps, the Kazan Higher Tank Command School, and an exhibition of about 100 units of firearms. Boys with shining eyes pulled their parents toward the tables, while girls, holding tightly to their fathers’ hands, preferred to keep a “safe distance” from pistols and rifles.
At the same time, specialists from the military recruitment point were telling interested individuals about contract service, and volunteers were conducting workshops on weaving survival bracelets and camouflage nets. It was particularly interesting to observe a man around 50 years old attentively listening to a boy around 10 years old in camouflage, who was explaining how to weave a bracelet, and trying to replicate his actions. In that moment, you realize: not only do children learn from their elders, but the opposite is also true.
Guests could also see the equipment of combatants, practice assembling a rifle, shoot at a range, try on military uniforms, and receive a photo as a gift. The youngest visitors were invited to write a letter to a soldier. Those who still struggle with the alphabet drew pictures, while older children carefully wrote their messages with markers. “Dear soldier! I wish for the war to end quickly.” And nearby, of course, was the white-blue-red flag.
A field kitchen was also operating at the patriotic event site, where everyone could enjoy genuine frontline buckwheat porridge and tea for free. But the most impressive part for the guests was the demonstration performances by the V.G. Agapov Special Training Center, which showcased elements of tactical army combat.
“A wonderful event, we already had the chance to watch the military training of the guys. Really liked it, we were impressed
Kazan Family Center
The Kazan Family Center is a modern cultural and administrative complex in Kazan, Russia, completed in 2013. Its distinctive, bowl-shaped architecture is designed to symbolize a traditional Tatar hearth or a cauldron, reflecting the region’s Turkic heritage. It primarily serves as a wedding palace and a venue for family-oriented events and celebrations.Russian Army
The Russian Army traces its origins to the first permanent regiments formed under Tsar Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century. It evolved through the Imperial Russian era into the Soviet Red Army, a major force in World War II, before being reorganized into its current form following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Today, it is one of the world’s largest military forces.African Corps
The term “African Corps” (Deutsches Afrikakorps, or DAK) refers to the German expeditionary force sent to North Africa during World War II. Led by General Erwin Rommel, its history is defined by its campaigns against Allied forces from 1941 to 1943. Today, it is not a cultural site but a historical military unit, remembered for its role in the North African theater of the war.Kazan Higher Tank Command School
The Kazan Higher Tank Command School was a prestigious Soviet military academy established in 1941 to train officers for armored forces during World War II. It became one of the primary institutions for tank command education in the USSR, operating for over 70 years before its dissolution in the post-Soviet era. The school’s legacy is tied to its significant role in producing commanders for the Red Army’s armored divisions.V.G. Agapov Special Training Center
The V.G. Agapov Special Training Center is a modern Russian military facility, reportedly established in the 21st century. It is named after a prominent military figure and serves as a key training ground for special operations forces and internal troops, focusing on counter-terrorism and urban warfare tactics.
