9th of May in Antalya

Even a very small path may lead to exciting adventures…

The Victory Day (WWII) is not being celebrated in Turkey. So we decided to go to the sea instead on sitting at home… But we couldn’t even guess who we will meet on our way!

On our way to the sea, we met a column consisting of approximately ten cars with Russian flags. We stopped next to them on the road crossing and asked them about their destination point.
– We’re going to honor a veteran. – they told.
– Are there veterans in Antalya?! – we wondered.
– Come with us and see!

We couldn’t miss such an interesting event and joined the column.

Russian Antalya. May 9th.

Our new friends told us about Valentina Lyatifova. 93-years-old World War Two veteran. She was waiting us in the sea side park together with her family.

After graduating school and college, Valentina Lyatifova entered Medical University. While studying there, she worked as a nurse at one of the factories in Izhevsk. In 1943 she joined Soviet Army as a volunteer. She was assigned to be a military medic in Baltic Countries (Estonia, Latvia). There she met her future husband. They moved to Baku together after the end of the war. 11 years ago her whole family moved to Antalya. That’s why she met her 70th anniversary of Victory Day here in Turkey.

Local Facebook community “Russian Antalya” decided to honor the only World War II veteran living in Antalya, so we joined them. 🙂

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating Victory Day.

Flowers from adults, cards from children, lots of “thank you”s and good wishes – every participant of community came to thank the veteran.

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating May 9th.

Let’s take a photo of the group…

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating May 9th

…correspondents are taking out their cameras/phones/pads (mainly phones :)…

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating Victory Day.

…And here it is – the priceless shot!

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating Victory Day in Antalya.

Let’s continue our photo session. One more photo for those who was shooting the first one 🙂

Valentina Lyatifova. Celebrating Victory Day in Antalya.

Some more photos with family and friends.

iPhone-man. Russian Antalya. May 9th.

Devices of different shapes and sizes!

iPad-women. Russian Antalya. May 9th.

– My shot will be the best!
– No! Mine!

Everyone wishes to take a picture of such a brave and beautiful lady!

Valentina Lyatifova. WWII veteran. Turkey.

Valentina Lyatifova. WWII veteran. Turkey.

Valentina Lyatifova with her family.

HK8A7220

HK8A7179

Let’s take a little rest and listen to some stories about the war…

Valentina Lyatifova. WWII veteran. Turkey.

Unfortunately we didn’t record much today. We didn’t take our external microphone with us and didn’t think that built-in one can work well. But it did. Here are couple short but real and true stories about the war.

There are stories for every listener!

Valentina Lyatifova. WWII veteran. Victory Day. Antalya.

We couldn’t stay unnoticed. Friends from Ukraine joined us with songs and warmest congratulations!

HK8A7304

HK8A7307

Here are photos of veteran and her present.

The frame has several photos from her youth. These photos are bringing back good memories and some new stories!

HK8A7381

Let’s finish our report with several photos of children. It is all about them. Our fathers, grand fathers and even grand grand fathers were fighting for their future. Some of them with guns, some of them with bandages and stretchers… Altogether they could defend and protect the World we’re living in.

Victory Day. Children. Antalya.

And that’s what happens when children take some shots themselves 🙂 Let them experiment – they can make some really good shots. But I am not sure why did girls like “mosque” sign so much 😀

Flights to Antalya:

Hotel prices in Antalya: