Vitebsk region took part in the opening of the republican museum project “For Belarus! September 17 is the Day of National Unity”
Such statements were made during the opening of the large-scale republican museum project "For Belarus! September 17 is the Day of National Unity," which, using modern communication technologies, connected all regional centers with the capital. It was prepared by the National Historical Museum and regional museums of local lore.
As noted by the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Natalya Kochanova, in September 1939, our country acquired territorial integrity, and the people were reunited.
— This is a landmark event in the life of the country. It is very symbolic that the museum project started on the eve of the holiday, which we will celebrate for the first time. And it is very important that the exhibitions are deployed throughout the country, and the expositions will be permanent throughout the year – the Year of National Unity. It is necessary to know the history of one's country, because without the past there is no future. And most importantly, we must know the historical truth, as well as do everything to preserve a united country and a united people, including for future generations," Natalya Kochanova noted.
From the Vitebsk region, participants of the project were welcomed by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin, and Director of the Regional Museum of Local Lore Tatyana Starinskaya.
— It is deeply symbolic that on September 17, we celebrate such a wonderful holiday. Belarus was actually torn apart by the Treaty of Riga, so Belarusians living in cities such as Braslav, Miory, Sharkovshchina, Glubokoye, Dokshitsy, Postavy, found themselves separated from both their land and their families. And only thanks to the victorious march of the Red Army on September 17, 1939, were they able to reunite. In this context, I always recall Glubokoye, where two beautiful churches have been preserved – an Orthodox and a Catholic one. The gates of the religious buildings face each other, and they are united by a single square, which has borne the name "September 17" since Soviet times, — noted Vladimir Terentyev.
The exhibition, dedicated to the Day of National Unity and displayed at the regional museum of local lore, introduces visitors to photographs, documents, and newspaper publications, allowing them to feel the spirit of the events of September–November 1939. The exhibition features materials from the museum collections of Glubokoye, Braslav, Miory, and Hermanovichi. The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to the intangible cultural heritage of the Vitebsk region. It includes 17 elements that have been granted the status of historical and cultural value. Among them are traditions of openwork weaving and pysanky (Easter eggs), technologies of spiral braiding and making clay toys, as well as insite (naive) art and bytynanka (paper cutting) art. The third section tells about the present day of the economically developed region and its industrial complex.
Participants of the museum project continued the discussion of issues crucial for the country regarding the preservation of historical memory, which are gaining particular relevance under external pressure on our country, at a round table on the topic "The Day of National Unity as a symbol of the consolidation of the Belarusian people." Based on historical facts, renowned scholars convincingly demonstrated why the reunification of Western Belarus with the BSSR is an act of historical justice for the Belarusian people, while simultaneously debunking a number of myths that are being imposed on us from outside regarding those events. Any holiday date in our history must have a strong historical basis, emphasized the Rector of the Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus, Vyacheslav Danilovich.
— If we look at the history of Belarus as a whole, the most significant moment in the reunification of our people occurred precisely in the autumn of 1939. Unfortunately, according to the terms of the Treaty of Riga, which was the result of the Soviet-Polish War, Western Belarus was incorporated into the Polish state. In fact, one people, Belarusians, were divided into two parts. And therefore, for us, the reunification of the people in the autumn of 1939 is a significant event. It is also important that it was in this year that the decision was made to celebrate September 17 as the Day of National Unity. There is historical continuity here, as well as a connection with modernity and events occurring in the geopolitical space, — noted Vyacheslav Danilovich, a candidate of historical sciences specializing in the history of the Belarusian national liberation movement in Western Belarus in 1921–1939.
Following the roundtable discussion organized by the Council of the Republic, the Ministry of Information, and the Ministry of Culture, a resolution was adopted. It notes, in particular, that the reunification of Western Belarus with the BSSR in the autumn of 1939 was a crucial step towards the independence and sovereign development of modern Belarus. September 17 symbolizes the immutability of the territorial and ethnic consolidation of the Belarusian nation. Furthermore, strengthening the unity of the people of Belarus and achieving social harmony are today the determining factors for the country's further progressive development, while preserving historical memory is a priority task for politicians, scientists, and public figures. All of this today expresses the moral spirit of the Belarusian people, aimed at solving the most important historical tasks.
The participants of the roundtable call on all those who care about the fate of the Fatherland to make every effort to preserve the main value – the unity and cohesion of the people, peace and tranquility on Belarusian land. "This is the strength of a sovereign Belarus and the key to its prosperous future," the document states.