The opening of memorials, memorials and museums in the Soviet Union was part of public policy. After the collapse of the country, often everything created falls into decay, collapses itself, or simply demolishes. In this situation, the news that the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk is being created using the latest technology in this area is encouraging.
Historical memory
The war, which began on June 22, 1941, became a real test for the population of the entire Soviet Union, including Belarus. This republic took upon itself the first blows of the Nazis, the first feats were accomplished on its land. Some large armies were encircled and the territory occupied for several difficult years. But even in those dark times, the fame of the Belarusian partisans spread throughout the vast Soviet country, inspiring everyone to the daily struggle. The operation of the liberation of the Belarusian lands "Bagration" went down in history as one of the most successful. Thus, the museum of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk appeared for a reason. Historians have something to save for posterity, so that they never forget about the price paid for the freedom of the people.
First World War II Museum in Belarus
In the summer of 1942, the German invaders controlled a large European part of the Soviet Union and were eager for the Caucasus and Stalingrad. During this difficult time, the government of Belarus evacuated to Moscow adopted a decree on the collection of archives and materials on the war.
Immediately after the liberation of the republic in the autumn of 1944, the first WWII museum was opened in Minsk. It was located in the city center, in the former trade union building. In its exhibition halls, collections of clothes, weapons, photos of documents, posters, archives of the Great Patriotic War were exhibited.
After 22 years, the museum received a new spacious building on Leninsky Prospekt. In 1977, an exposition of military equipment, aircraft and vehicles used in the war of 1941-1945 was created. This military museum in Minsk was one of the largest in the entire post-Soviet space.
And housewarming again
In 2010, at the initiative of the President of Belarus, a new building was laid in the walls of which, by 2014, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk was located. It is part of a large memorial complex on Pobediteley Avenue. Huge exhibition areas allowed increasing the number of exhibits by 50 percent and making 11 exhibition halls providing an immersive immersion in the historical past. The halls have many transitions that allow you to use the asymmetric layout in the best way to impress visitors.
The museum building successfully fits into the landscape. It is striking in its architecture. A flag is flying over a huge transparent dome. Most of the population of Belarus supported the opening of the museum in Minsk on a new place, mentally and financially. The task of our generation is to not only store the heritage received from our ancestors, but also to increase it.
Concept
All museum rooms are located in accordance with the clear concept of the exhibition called "Roads of War". Each hall is a chronological stage in the history of mankind. Events have been set out since 1919, when the Versailles Accords were signed, ending the First World War and immediately laying down the main contradictions that led to the Second World War. The last room is dedicated to peaceful reconstruction work after the devastation that resulted from the terrible war of the twentieth century. It is important that the new WWII museum in Minsk widely uses the latest exhibition technologies, such as three-dimensional graphics and sound, information kiosks and media equipment. All this together allows us to experience the reality of war as a terrible phenomenon for humanity.
Exhibition halls
In order to go on an excursion, visitors descend to the lower level of the building. From the ground floor they sequentially begin to move up. The last point of the route is Victory Hall. It is a huge room with a transparent dome. On the walls are the names of all the units that liberated the republic, and the names of all Belarusians who received the title of heroes of the Soviet Union.
The first hall covers the theme of the tragedy of war as such. Then comes an exhibition describing events on the eve of World War II. The third hall presents samples of Soviet weapons and equipment. The next exhibition is dedicated to the defensive battles of 1941 until the battle for Moscow. Then a radical turning point during the war and the work of the rear are described, a description of the Nazi occupation regime in Belarus is given, and a partisan movement is considered. The triumphal liberation of the USSR and the defeat of the aggressor countries are presented in the following rooms. The two remaining exhibitions reflect the course of economic recovery and the labor feat of the Soviet people.
