In 1989, a powerful photograph captured the attention of the world and shed light on the resilience and sacrifice of war veterans. The image, taken by Ivan Kurtov, depicted Anatoly Golimbievsky, a decorated veteran who had lost both of his legs during World War II, being saluted by four young sailors.
The photograph was part of a larger photo story that Kurtov had been working on, focusing on the life of Golimbievsky. Kurtov had the opportunity to meet the veteran on Victory Day, which is celebrated on May 9th in Russia, when he was sent to a veterans meeting in Leningrad by his press agency, ITAR-TASS.
To honor Golimbievsky, Kurtov decided to stage a photo shoot with the veteran. He reached out to the Nakhimov school for naval cadets and requested around 30 sailors to participate. However, only three sailors and one officer were sent to him. Despite this, Kurtov proceeded with the shoot.
Originally, Kurtov had planned to capture the photograph against the backdrop of the iconic cruiser 'The Aurora,' which was docked opposite the Nakhimov school. However, he found that the presence of the large ship was too distracting for the intended message of the photo. Instead, he opted to take the picture with the city in the background.
While the photo was approved by ITAR-TASS, many newspapers were hesitant to publish it, citing concerns about showcasing what they viewed as "pathology." It was only when Kurtov won the first prize at World Press Photo that Russian newspapers began to print the image.
This photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the resilience they display in the face of adversity. It captures the moment when young sailors pay homage to Golimbievsky, recognizing his courage and service to his country.
