On the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Yabloko, one of ALDE Party’s members in Russia, held a concert-marathon under the slogan ‘Say Yes to the Peace!’.  

During the marathon, 45 videos were shown where Yabloko members from all over Russia bore witness of their struggle through this difficult year and what gave them strength. Excerpts from books and poems about the war were also broadcasted. 

In an opening speech to the marathon Grigory Yavlinsky, the founder of Yabloko party, spoke about the national and international causes of what happened: 

“Today, Russia is being adjusted to Vladimir Putin’s reality, the Eurasian reality. The so-called ‘special military operation’ is the foundation for transferring Russia from a country of free people into a country of people whom this system likes.” 

Yavlinsky also stressed that the task of Yabloko and its supporters is to defend the freedom in Russia. To implement this, he insisted that it is necessary to understand the causes of what happened and learn how to talk with people about it, and discuss the prospects with them. 

He was followed by actress Tatyana Parshina and Yabloko Chair Nikolai Rybakov, who recited excerpts from the books about war by Vsevolod Garshin, Leonid Andreyev and Guy de Maupassant.  

“We tried to select such works of world classical literature that speak not only about the value of human life, but also about the absolute futility and senselessness of war,” declared Rybakov. 

In the end, Violinists Alexei Lobanov and Yefim Krinovsky performed works by Bach, Pachelbel, Vivaldi and Maria Theresa von Paradis.

Watch the event here or below.