Memorial of the Eternal Flame, Yekaterinburg

The Memorial of the Eternal Flame is a public war memorial dedicated to soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. The eternal flame was installed and first lit in 1959. It stands on the site of a 1919 mass grave, where a granite obelisk had already been placed earlier, linking different layers of military history within one commemorative space.

At the center of the memorial, an eternal flame burns from a low metal star set into a stone platform. The flame is supplied continuously so it remains lit throughout the year, including during winter. Surrounding stone elements and inscriptions commemorate fallen soldiers as a group, reflecting the Soviet tradition of emphasizing shared sacrifice rather than individual figures. The design is restrained and open, encouraging visitors to approach the flame closely.

The memorial is used regularly for official ceremonies, especially on Victory Day on May 9. During these events, flowers and wreaths are laid by veterans, families, and public organizations. On ordinary days, people often stop briefly, read the inscriptions, or stand in silence. The site continues to function as a place of remembrance woven into everyday public life.