On the State Archives of the Gomel Region’s Unity Day Lesson as Part of the «Archives to School» Campaign

On September 17, 2025, as part of the «Archives to School» campaign, Senior Researcher Maya Vashchenko participated in a unified information day at Gomel Secondary School No.75 and taught a lesson dedicated to the national holiday, Unity Day.

National Unity Day is one of the most important holidays in the Republic of Belarus, whose significance only grows with each passing year.

Maya Vashchenko told the students about the history of the reunification of Western Belarus and the Byelorussian SSR. In 1921, the Belarusian people were divided against their will under the terms of the Riga Peace Treaty. As a result of the Red Army’s campaign on September 17, 1939, historical justice was restored, and Western Belarus was reunited with the Byelorussian SSR.

The Belarusian people were given the opportunity to live and develop within the borders of a single republic. Fundamental socioeconomic transformations were carried out, affecting all spheres of society. New schools, universities, theaters, and libraries opened. Construction of new factories and plants began. The People’s Assembly of Western Belarus declared September 17 the Day of Liberation of the Working People of Western Belarus from the Oppression of the Bourgeoisie and Landowners. By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of June 7, 2021, September 17 was designated a national holiday – National Unity Day.

In her speech, Maya Vaschenko emphasized the numerous trials that the Belarusian people have endured. It is essential to take a special approach to the concept of national unity. The national holiday National Unity Day has a special meaning: our strength lies in unity, and as long as we are united, we are invincible.

Students were shown documentary slides from the Belarusian State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents, entitled «The Reunification of the Belarusian People». The slides use archival photographs to illustrate the historical events of the reunification.

History teacher Anton Ermoolenko discussed the events of the reunification of the Belarusian people with the students in a question-and-answer session.

1. Presentation by Senior Researcher M.Vashchenko

2. Students viewing archival materials

3. A.Ermoolenko discusses the historical events with the students

4. Participants in the event