Red Square parade: Putin’s display of Soviet-era power

The summer parade of athletes was a display of Soviet power under Stalin. Vladimir Putin is to revive the spectacle in time for his re-election.

Vladimir Putin’s decision to restore the summer parade of athletes marks Russia’s latest step in its return to the Soviet era. Picture: AFP

The summer parade of athletes in Red Square was a display of Soviet power under Stalin from 1931 to 1945. President Vladimir Putin plans to revive the propaganda spectacle in time for his re-election in spring next year.

The last march to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany had 25,000 athletes performing feats for more than four hours.

The parade was a celebration of the Soviet tradition that its citizens should always be “ready for labour and defence”.

Mr Putin’s decision to restore the tradition marks Russia’s latest step in its return to the Soviet era. Kremlin insiders say the revival is part of a campaign to rally a nation beset by economic woes and war losses.

The festivities around his re-election will celebrate collective activity, they say. The parade follows the launch of It’s a Family Affair, a nationwide prize event for which families must perform in an online series of game show style tasks to win apartments and holidays.

The activities will coincide with Mr Putin’s campaign, which will climax during the vote in March.

Election results in Russia are largely predetermined but the Kremlin fears a low turnout could undermine Mr Putin’s power base.

The Times