A scientific conference on the prospects of cultural heritage was held at VSU named after P.M. Masherov
Archaeological artifacts, problems of restoration and conservation of architectural monuments, the use of virtual reality technologies in museums, artificial intelligence, and other issues were discussed at the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Protection and Popularization of Cultural Heritage: World and Domestic Experience," which took place at VSU named after P.M. Masherov.
More than a hundred scientists, museum workers, archaeologists, and researchers from different cities of Belarus and Russia took part in the discussion.
– The popularization of cultural heritage occupies an important place in the structure of national interests of Belarus and Russia. This is an area of humanitarian security, which is enshrined in the constitutions of our countries, – emphasized Vadim Lakiza, Director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, who, together with the Department of Culture of the Regional Executive Committee and the scientific and educational center "Spadchyna Vitebskaya Zyamli," organized the conference.
The participants of the meeting exchanged their developments in this area, and discussed the most pressing issues requiring joint efforts to improve legislation.
It is symbolic, noted Denis Yurchak, chief specialist of the Department of Culture of the Regional Executive Committee, that the conference is timed to coincide with the day of remembrance of ancestors. Thematically, the scientific forum is connected with history and original folk traditions.
– The issues raised for discussion are of great importance for the formation of citizenship and patriotism of the younger generation, which should be brought up on the experience of its ancestors. During the conference, a presentation of the Bank of Information on the Historical and Cultural Heritage of Belarus was held, which will be available to all users from January 2026. The electronic resource will feature photographs and brief descriptions of monuments. More detailed information will be available for specialists, – explained Denis Yurchak.
One of the current issues is the protection of archaeological heritage and the fight against illegal search and trafficking of artifacts. Vitebsk region ranks first in the republic in terms of the number of burial mounds and ancient settlements, which attract the attention of illegal diggers. There is no clear mechanism yet to prevent the plunder of such sites. Legislation needs to be improved. This was emphasized by the conference participants. The issue of preserving cultic crosses and stones was raised, which should not lose their archaeological, ethnographic, and culturological contexts when transferred to museums.
– Debates often arise regarding destroyed architectural monuments: whether to preserve ruins or restore them using modern technologies. The Dukhovskoy Kruglik in Vitebsk can serve as a good example. During its construction, authentic foundations of a 14th-century castle tower were discovered, which were framed by a building stylized in the old manner, – emphasized Denis Yurchak.
During the discussion, the prospects of Belarusian heritage on the UNESCO list were touched upon, in particular, the preservation, use, and promotion of monuments that have world value and great significance for the development of tourism.
Special attention was paid to the protection of military burials and the historical memory of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In terms of the number of monuments and mass graves, Vitebsk region surpasses its neighbors and sets an example of care for such sites.
As part of the conference, a ceremony was held for the transfer of a valuable parcel – a handful of earth from the homeland of Soviet soldier S. Orazbaev, a native of the Abay region of Kazakhstan, who died during the liberation of Vitebsk region during the Great Patriotic War and was buried near the village of Bukstyny.
– This year, searchers from Kazakhstan took part in the "Watch of Memory" held in the Mogilev region. They asked to transfer soil from the homeland of their fellow countryman to the Vitebsk region, – explained Sergey Zhizhian, director of the Bykhov District Historical and Local Lore Museum of the Mogilev Region.
It is planned to scatter the soil over the soldier's grave.