On the opening of the exhibition in the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation

On May 8, 2025, the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation opened the exhibition «Architecture of Victory», dedicated to the 115th anniversary of the birth of Honored Architect of the BSSR Viktor Matveevich Volchek and the Victory of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

Viktor Matveevich Volchek was born on July 9, 1910 in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. After graduating from a pedagogical school, he worked as a rural teacher, actively participating in public life. In 1936, he completed his studies at the architectural faculty of the All-Russian Academy of Arts in Leningrad, specializing in the design of public and memorial structures.

From 1937 to 1953, he worked in Tashkent, becoming one of the leading architects of the Uzbek SSR. He took part in the design of significant civil architecture objects, including the Government House and the monument to Alisher Navoi. For his contribution to the development of the republic, he was awarded four Honorary Certificates of the Supreme Council of the Uzbek SSR.

During the Great Patriotic War, Viktor Matveevich served in the engineering troops, went from Stalingrad to Prague, participated in combat operations as part of a sapper battalion. For his heroism, he was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, and several medals.

Since 1953, all of V.M.Volchek’s professional activities have been associated with Belarus. He worked at the Belgosproekt Institute, taught at the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute (now BNTU), and defended his PhD thesis on monumental propaganda. In the period 1955–1975, he combined scientific and pedagogical activities with design practice.

He created 11 memorial complexes and numerous monuments, including a memorial in Lenino, monuments in Mosyukovshchina, Uruchye and Ivenets, monuments to F.E.Dzerzhinsky and Marat Kazei. Of particular importance is his participation in the creation of the Memorial Complex «Brest Fortress – Hero», where he carried out the author’s supervision.

For his services in architecture, pedagogy and social activities, Viktor Matveevich Volchek was awarded titles and awards, including «Honored Architect of the BSSR». In the last years of his life, he participated in the design of the Minsk metro. He died on April 26, 1985, leaving behind a rich legacy, the center of which is architecture that embodies the memory of the heroism of the people.

The exhibition can be viewed in the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation, located at the address: Minsk, St. Cyril and Methodius Street, 4.

1-4. Exhibition materials