The Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War is one of the largest in the world. It is completely devoted to those tragic pages of history that many would prefer to forget. Numerous galleries present elements of history that reflect how Soviet troops fought against the fascist army several decades ago.
Collection of valuable items for exposure
In the summer of 1942, the Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus organized a commission entrusted with a responsible task, namely the collection of documents and other direct and indirect evidence of the exploits and heroism of the people of Belarus during the struggle against the Nazi invaders. It is safe to say that these people worked hard, because it was they who managed to put together an amazing collection of various trophies. These include melee weapons, uniforms, an invaluable collection of photographs and personal items that were used by Soviet soldiers. Special for all were the finds that the craftsmen made with their own hands.
Among them were beautiful small paintings and drawings of war veterans. In general, the collection was really wonderful. Many elements help reproduce all the tragic events and fully experience the atmosphere of war. This is necessary to from time to time to think and rethink your life.
Since 1942, the exposition, which was temporarily in Moscow, returned to Minsk again. This museum could rightly be considered the very first and largest in the history of the USSR. Today it does not cease to amaze with its scale. According to recent reports, every year the museum receives more than a thousand valuable exhibits.
The first post-war museum
It is noteworthy that this is the only museum that began to function during the war years. Since 1966, in Minsk, it began to be located on the most central avenue of the city. Around the museum lies a small area on which there are some samples of military equipment that were used during the Great Patriotic War. The exposition itself is located in 27 halls. About 7 thousand military exhibits tell about the horrors of war, the cruelty of the Nazis and the heroic deeds of people. Since the building is located on the territory of Belarus, the halls that are dedicated to the history of the Belarusian partisan movement are of particular interest to this people.
The painstaking work of the architect
It is generally accepted that the story of the war, which is arranged in chronological order, is not accurate. Rather, it is built as fragments of a story or a single picture, with the help of which the author tries to convey the atmosphere or general mood. The concept of the halls is as confusing as the history of the museum. Be that as it may, today it is in a new building, the construction of which began in 2010. The architect of this project was the already famous Victor Kramarenko, who is currently a professor and author of the beautiful buildings of the national library.
When the construction work was completed, it was safe to say that the new look of the museum looks impressive. Reliefs are on the walls, on which are written the names of soldiers who were awarded the title Heroes of the Soviet Union. The architects' idea was to fill the architectural rays with laser light in the evening. This impressive sight can be seen in the dark. In the near future they plan to put up a fountain in the square near the museum that will revive the already beautiful architectural ensemble.
One of the largest in the world
This project really turned out to be successful, because the Belarusian National Museum of the Great Patriotic War is one of the most significant, as it has priceless collections, which are equal only in Moscow, New Orleans and Kiev. Museums in these cities also talk about the events of World War II. They have wax figures, models and real military equipment that was used at that time.
Halls dedicated to concentration camps
Museums, of course, are needed in order not to forget that war is the worst of all man-made. Thousands of people died during these terrible years, and some countries, including Belarus, lost almost every third inhabitant. If you take into account the events that unfolded in Belarus, you can be horrified, because about 250 death camps operated on the territory of the country. One of the collections of the first museum was devoted specifically to concentration camps. They were presented by the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War. Expositions are dedicated to the victims of these events. Beginning in 1942, the created commission, which was located in Moscow, continuously received exhibits directly from the front line. Among these historical values were various handwritten and printed publications, hand-made weapons, and chronicles of partisan movements. These valuable data were sent to Moscow and stored there until the museum opened.
Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War. History in detail
After some time, the state allocated a dark, unsightly room in the center of the city for exposure, but had to be content with this, as it was one of the few buildings that remained relatively intact after the war. In 1944, its doors in Minsk were already wide open to visitors. A few years later the collection was replenished with new exhibits. This was made possible thanks to the excavations that were carried out on the territory of the Trostyanets concentration camp. Specialists, using various technical methods, were able to accurately determine its location and carry out a number of prospecting works there. Their efforts were crowned with success, and the museum acquired several hundred new exhibits.
Fortunately, soon the President of Belarus took the initiative to build a new museum complex. An interesting fact is that the expositions use modern technologies that help in detail to see the scale of hostilities. Video and audio support this.
Solemn move to a new building
Designing the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War is not an easy and responsible task, which was entrusted to outstanding figures of the country. Among them was a famous professor of architecture of international level - Viktor Kramarenko. The total area of the designed building was fifteen thousand square meters. The museum decorated the center of the capital with its presence. To this day, it impresses tourists with its scale and grandeur. It can rightfully be called one of the greatest buildings in the territory of the Belarusian state. The outer metal case glistens and shimmers in the sun, and glass gives the composition a complete look. These materials were not accidentally chosen to become part of the building. Metal symbolized war, and glass - victory and enduring values.
Decent appearance
The design is concise, although you cannot call it restrained. The Belarusian Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (description in the article) is well designed. Harmonious monumentality combined with minimalism and modern technologies give the building a monumental chic. The entire design is complemented by large plasma screens that are placed on the walls. If we return to the exposition, we can say with confidence that a collection of almost three dozen documents deserves special attention. Among them you can find various combat reports, reports and magazines of military events. Of particular interest are the front-line characteristics of the soldiers, they can be seen in one of the internal galleries. From the times of World War II, even letters from commanders and commanders-in-chief have been preserved.
Museum innovations
You can not only read them, but also look through them. Special information kiosks that are located in the halls are designed specifically for this purpose. Plasma screens almost always show unique shots from the military newsreel. The museum has a collection of more than 40 thousand photographs, which can be seen by visiting the above exhibitions. But the building has something that is much more interesting for many than a photo. This is a reconstruction in real size. Among them are "Tank Ram" and "Air Battle".
Fascinating excursions
Being in the center of Minsk, it is worth paying attention to this cultural center. Visitors leave the most flattering reviews about the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War. Excursions are held from Tuesday to Sunday with one single day off - Wednesday (Monday, when it comes to public holidays). If someone is interested in deeper excursions in the museum of the history of the Great Patriotic War, it is necessary to submit preliminary applications or their conduct. They are carried out with a group that consists of no more than 25 people. Individual in-depth excursions are also possible. The administration of the museum kindly allowed the use of audio guides in several languages. The cost of various excursions, according to preliminary data, ranges from 75,000 to 150,000 Belarusian rubles. The Belarusian State Museum of History (WWII) opens the door for everyone to look into history.