On the first anniversary of the tragic Crocus City Hall, the Russian Red Cross (RRC) launched a Memorial Page dedicated to the victims of the attack. This page allows anyone to honor the memory of the deceased by leaving a few words, mentally addressing those whose lives were cut short, or simply observing a moment of silence. A virtual crane has been chosen as the symbol of remembrance – by sending it, individuals express their grief and support to all those affected by this tragedy. The page also features the documentary film “Crocus. Unbroken”, produced with the support of the Russian Red Cross.
The memorial page lists the names of all the victims, the youngest being 8 years old and the oldest 71. Anyone can pay tribute by writing a few simple words or observing a moment of silence. This gesture, though simple, carries profound meaning – by sending a message, individuals can not only express their sorrow but also feel a sense of shared remembrance.
“In moments of pain, it is especially important to know that there are people nearby who share your feelings, support you and remember. This page provides an opportunity to honor the memory of the victims anywhere in Russia. A year ago, we saw how strong our entire society was in the face of tragedy: people helped, supported each other, and did not allow grief to break them. I am confident that today, people will respond to the call to honor the memory of the deceased”, emphasized Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross.
The page also hosts the documentary film “Crocus. Unbroken” produced with the support of the “Integration” production center and the Russian Red Cross. The film illustrates how compassion became a source of strength for everyone, helping them endure the tragedy and find solace in each other.
“Throughout this year we have been working closely with the families affected by the events of last March, and we understand how profoundly this tragedy has turned their lives upside down. Therefore, when filmmakers approached us for assistance in creating the documentary, we responded. It is extremely important to preserve the memory of the deceased, to capture the unprecedented societal response, and give the participants of the events an opportunity to speak out – carefully and comfortably for their mental state. The film “Crocus. Unbroken” is not a chronicle of events; it does not provide answers to questions of who is to blame or what to do. But it allows us to view the events from the perspective of empathy and about societal unity in the face of pain. Yes, it is impossible to prevent disasters, impossible to bring back those who perished. But we can certainly help those who have suffered, alleviate their suffering. By helping others, we also help ourselves to endure this crisis, to realize and live through this pain. And therein lies the essence of active compassion as a form therapy for society and individuals”, noted Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross.
In the film, the victims of the tragedy publicly share for the first time what they experienced and how they managed to return to life. Volunteers and bystanders who helped during and after the attack discuss what compels a person risk their life to assist others. The filmmakers do not try to find answers how to prevent similar tragedies in the future but instead capture the genuine emotions of people: their fear, pain, empathy, compassion, support, and, most importantly, hope. The attack at Crocus City Hall became one of the most terrible tragedies in the country’s recent history, leaving a deep mark on the lives of specific individuals and society as a whole. But along with the pain came an incredible solidarity among people: the desire to help, support, be there, and ensure that those who experienced this tragedy do not remain alone with their trouble. It was an unprecedented response of sympathy and empathy in its strength.
