In Kharkov, in the Forest Park in 1977 there was opened a beautiful and majestic memorial complex. The Complex of Glory immortalized the immortal and unforgettable feat of Soviet citizens in the fight against the Nazi invaders. The place for the memorial was chosen not accidental: at this northern city limit the Nazis executed and shot tens of thousands of Soviet soldiers, partisans and underground fighters, prisoners of war and patriots, who refused to submit to the enemy.

The people of Kharkov displayed great courage and heroism in battles with the Nazis. Two hundred and thirty Kharkovites were given the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, tens of thousands have been awarded with orders and medals. One of the steles reminds visitors that 186,306 Soviet soldiers died in the battles of Kharkov.

A stately Glory Memorial was unveiled in the Forest Park in 1977. It immortalizes the undying exploits of the Soviet people fighting the Nazism. At this city's northern boundary, the Hitlerites executed tens of thousands of Soviet war prisoners, partisans, members of underground resistance, and patriots who had not submitted to the enemy.

During the Great Patriotic War the residents of Kharkov showed the enviable courage, bravery and heroism. They stoically fought against the oppression of the conquerors, together with other citizens of the former Soviet Union and gave their lives for the peaceful life of their descendants. In honor of these soldiers there were erected three steles with dropped down cast banners. On one stele there is the inscription, which is to remind present and future generations about the great feat of the Soviet people: "In the battles for Kharkov 186 306 Soviet soldiers died a hero’s death".

Three memorial steles with lowered cast metal flags tell the story of Kharkivites' contribution in the Soviet people's battle with the hateful enemy.

The Kharkivites displayed unprecedented courage and heroism in battles with the nazis. 230 of our compatriots were given the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union, tens of thousands have been awarded with orders and medals.

Inscription on one of the steles reminds about those, whom the present and subsequent generation owe their lives: 186,306 Soviet soldiers died in the battles of Kharkiv.

In the center of the memorial complex there is a majestic stele depicting the suffering, struggles and joys of the Great Victory. Beside it there is a sculpture Mother-Motherland frozen in mournful silence for the fallen warriors in battle. At the foot of the monument burns the eternal flame, and on the gray granite there is paved the inscription with gold letters: "Heroes do not die. They gain immortality, and remain forever in our memory, in our deeds, in the great affairs of future generations. Their descendants owe them their lives."

The Memorial was created by a team consisting of sculptors V.I.Agibalov, M.F.Ovsyankin, Ya.I.Ryk, artist S.G.Svetlorusov, architects E.Yu.Cherkasov, I.A.Alferov, and A.A. Maksymenko.

Every year on May 9th, Ukrainians celebrate the end of the Great Patriotic War (known to Westerners as WWII). The Germans capitulated to the Allies on May 7th on the Western Front but the next day, outside of Berlin, they also met with representatives of the Soviet Union to ratify their surrender. While it was May 8th in Germany, it was already May 9th in Moscow. And thus, the official end to the war from the perspective of the Soviets. The day became a holiday and most of the Soviet Republics began to recognize it in the 1960s as a non-working day. It was always a day of parties and military parades. Today, in Kharkov it is still a holiday. On this day people still flock to local war memorials to lay down bouquets of flowers and pay their respects to those who lost their lives during the Great War. Veterans and survivors who earned medals during the war proudly wear them on this day and are honored by all who greet them.

The memorial is easily accessible from any point in the city. The best way to get to Kharkiv is by flight.