Stalin's Toast Celebrating the Magnificent Russian People
In May 1945, Joseph Stalin made a toast at a grand reception held in the St. George’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. The event, which took place well after midnight, was a significant moment in history, marking a tribute to the Russian people and their crucial role in the war against Germany.
Stalin's speech was a testament to the Russian people's clear mind, steadfast character, and patience, qualities that he believed were instrumental in the Soviet Union's leading role in the conflict. He also emphasised the unifying and beneficial role of the Russian people throughout history, even before the war.
The toast was recorded in a transcript, which revealed 31 toasts in total, five of which were made by Stalin. However, the official report only included 28 toasts, with only two attributed to Stalin. It is unclear what the two omitted toasts contained, as the specific details have not been documented.
The banquet inspired Mikhail Khmelko, a People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, to create a large ceremonial painting titled "For the Great Russian People!". Khmelko began the painting after the reception and completed it in 1947, the same year the painting was awarded the Stalin Prize.
The painting depicts a grand scene of the Russian people, reflecting Stalin's words of praise and admiration. Despite the absence of photos or videos from the banquet due to ethical reasons, Khmelko's painting offers a visual representation of the historic event.
It is worth noting that the party's ideology change in 1935 did not include any condemnation of Stalin's toasting of the Russian people. In fact, anyone who continued to denounce the "darkness and backwardness" of the Russian people in pre-revolutionary times was quickly silenced.
Stalin's toast was not just a recognition of the Russian people's efforts during the war but also a statement of their prominence within the Soviet Union. He credited the Russian people for the Soviet Union's leading role in the war against Germany, a sentiment that was reflected in the official form of the toast, where Stalin raised a toast to the health of the Russian people.
In conclusion, Stalin's toast at the grand reception in 1945 was a significant historical moment, one that was immortalised by Mikhail Khmelko's painting "For the Great Russian People!". The painting, which was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1947, serves as a visual testament to the admiration and respect Stalin held for the Russian people.
