On behalf of the Makeyevka city organization of the Communist Party of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Leninist Communist Youth League of the Donetsk People’s Republic, we congratulate you, the representatives of the 4th Anti-Fascist Caravan, on the 73rd anniversary of the Great Victory and on the 4th anniversary of the formation of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
We are grateful to you that you visited the Donetsk People’s Republic on the eve of these significant dates, from May 5 to 8, 2018. The Caravan includes representatives of Russia, Italy, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, France, Colombia, Mexico. The legendary Italian anti-fascist ska-punk band “Banda Bassotti” is the basis of the Caravan.
The main purpose of the Anti-Fascist Caravan is the provision of humanitarian assistance to the inhabitants of Donbass, a breakthrough of the information blockade, the establishment of inter-party relations as well as the international legal recognition of the Donetsk People’s Republic. This people’s diplomacy shapes the official one, one way or another. The Communist Party of the Donetsk People’s Republic makes a tremendous contribution to the development of international ties and seeks the world recognition of the Republic.
The Anti-Fascist Caravan visited Makeyevka on May 6. The work as to the organization of the visit had been conducted by the city committee of the CP of the DPR for almost six months. An internationalist warrior from Colombia, a Communist, our friend and comrade Alexis suggested organizing a concert of «Banda Bassotti» in conjunction with the famous Makeyevka orchestra of wind and variety music “Miner Dawns”. He introduced us to David Cacchione – the manager of the group, the leader of the Caravan. After that, active correspondence began. The Italian comrades studied the repertoire of the orchestra. In turn, the Makeyevka musical group rehearsed the song of the Italian partisans “Bella Ciao”. A festive concert was held for the inhabitants of Makeyevka on May 6 in the park near the Palace of Culture of the mine “Butovskaya”. The performers of the Italian group and the orchestra of Makeyevka found a common language – the musical one – without a single rehearsal.
The Chervonogvardeysky district of Makeyevka, which is regularly bombarded by the Ukrainian armed forces, has not collected so many people for a long time. The mine “Butovskaya”, which is located near the Donetsk airport, was destroyed by the artillery of the Ukrainian army. But despite the attacks, “Miner Dawns” did not stop rehearsals in the Palace of Culture. Showing its creative work, the orchestra inspires the Donbass people to fight fascism. The great Russian commander Alexander Suvorov said: “The music doubles, triples the army … I took Ishmael with full banners and thundering music!”
The Makeyevka City Committee of the CP of the DPR has awarded “Banda Bassotti” a Red Battle Banner as a token of gratitude and friendship.
After the concert, the foreign guests met with the Makeyevka pioneers in the children’s and youth club «Gaidarovets», which for many years has been one of the main centers for out-of-school work with children and young people. A talented teacher – Emma Karapetova – has been the pedagogue-organizer of the club for more than 35 years, today, her pupils have many ranks and titles, are world champions in power sports, masters and candidate masters of sport in chess, checkers, football, basketball, bodybuilding, powerlifting etc. The merits of the club and its pedagogue can be listed for a very long time. The guests were surprised to learn that the club had not stopped its work despite the shelling, and today, no matter what, it works, giving an example to the rest.
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the CP of the DPR Boris Litvinov noted that the club “Gaidarovets” had preserved the best traditions of the Soviet upbringing and continued raising worthy citizens of the Donetsk People’s Republic. On behalf of all pupils of the club “Gaidarovets” and the pioneer organization of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the young pioneers Angelina Osichenko, Alina Kosenko, Andrei Voznyuk and Eva Mikaelyan presented the guests with handmade memorable gifts and posters dedicated to the Victory Day.
After an excursion around the club, the guests, full of emotions after communicating with the children, presented stationery and sweets to its pupils. Although the meeting was brief, the children could quickly make friends with the foreign Communists. While seeing off the Anti-Fascist Caravan, the pioneers and pupils of the “Gaidarovets” expressed confidence that this meeting would not be the last one. They said they were eagerly awaiting their comrades at their home next year.
The anti-fascists attended the rehearsal of the Victory Day parade on May 7 in Donetsk, honoring the memory of the dead civilians near the Donetsk airport. In a very short time (because the front line is near), we inspected the places of hostilities, took several fragments and cartridges for memory, which are still quite numerous there. The warrior-internationalist Alexis gave a brief comment as a participant in the fighting for the airport.
The delegation visited the training ground (training coal mine) at the Abakumov Donetsk Mining Technical School and got acquainted with the production of the Petrovsky coal machinery plant. The uniqueness of this enterprise lies in the fact that it worked for the whole coal industry in Ukraine before the war. The enterprise, located near the line of contact, suffered significantly from artillery shelling. Nevertheless, it is carrying out restoration work, and the production activity, far from ceasing, is, on the contrary, developing.
During its stay in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Caravan was able to visit quite a large number of institutions and enterprises and render invaluable assistance to children, servicemen, and the needy.
The Communists, Komsomol members, pioneers, inhabitants of Makeyevka express their immense gratitude to all foreign representatives who took a firm decision to come to Donbass. You are heroic people who were not afraid of the international pressure, who held campaigns in support of the Republic throughout the year. Such qualities as humanity, kindness and sincerity are not possessed by all people. But you, our foreign comrades, have shown precisely these qualities. You are real Communists who are always ready to sacrifice themselves, to extend a helping hand, to do everything to help those in need.
Thank you for your solidarity with the people of Donbass!
With respect and words of gratitude,
First Secretary of the Makeyevka City Committee of the CP of the DPR
Sergey Yurtaev,
First Secretary of the Makeyevka City Committee of the Leninist Communist Youth League of the DPR
Anton Saenko
