The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the military parade as a unique form of symbolic representation of political power and an effective instrument of state policy in the context of commemorative events in 2025 dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The research focuses on parades held in Russia, China, and the United States, which are viewed as complex political and symbolic acts combining elements of military demonstration, theatrical ritual, and visual communication of power. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research allows for interpreting the parade as an aestheticized and mythologized form of political style. For the comparative analysis, the authors identified five key criteria: the scale and organizational structure of the parades, the level of international participation, the rhetoric of public speeches by political leaders, the specifics of media presentation, and the economic costs of holding the events. The comparison shows that the Russian and Chinese parades retain a sacred character, emphasizing the continuity of historical memory, the stability of power, and national unity. At the same time, the American parade of 2025 is focused on domestic political mobilization and strengthening the individual image of the president. In the context of escalating international competition and growing global military and political tensions, parades continue to play a key role in shaping collective memory and strengthening national identity, remaining a powerful means of political mobilization and symbolic dialogue between the government and society.
military parade; politics of memory; symbolic power; political ritual; Russia; China; United States; international relations; 80th anniversary of Victory