Opening of the exhibition «Kupala. Women’s History»
On May 20, 2026, the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus and the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater presented to the public a unique exhibition, «Kupala. Women’s History», dedicated to women who have become icons of the Belarusian stage. For the first time, archival documents revealing the personal and heroic biographies of famous actresses are being presented to the public.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of theater stars beyond the spotlight. The core of the exhibition is comprised of «documents of the era» from the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus: personnel records, references, unique autobiographies, and questionnaires, where living stories of success and overcoming are hidden behind the official lines.
These manuscripts allow one to sense the character of each woman, discern their signature style, and discover how they personally viewed their path in art. The exhibition features documents on awards and honorary titles conferred, confirming the actresses’ contribution to national culture. A special place in the exhibit is occupied by testimonies of the participation of women from the Kupala Theater in the partisan movement. Wartime documents recount the courage of women who traded stage costumes for soldiers’ greatcoats. The documents are supplemented by objects and photographs from the collection of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater.
As part of the cultural program, a creative meeting with legends of the Belarusian stage — People’s Artist of the BSSR Maria Georgievna Zakharevich and People’s Artist of Belarus Zinaida Petrovna Zubkova — was held. This event sparked keen interest among guests and became the focal point of the entire exhibition. For visitors, it was a rare opportunity to touch a bygone era. The Kupala Theater actresses acted not simply as honored guests but as key witnesses to history. As contemporaries and colleagues of the exhibition’s heroines, they shared the stage, dressing rooms, and lived through key moments in their lives. The event program included musical numbers performed by the theater’s artists.
This exhibition is not simply an archival project, but an attempt to hear the voices of great women through the decades. We present them not only as stage stars, but also as individuals of strong character, who endured the trials of war and were dedicated to their work to the end.
M.A.Starostenko, Head of Department of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus, introduced archival documents to the event participants.
 |
| 1. Exhibition poster |
 |
| 2. At the exhibition opening |
 |
| 3. Aleksandr Viktorovich Shestakov, General Director of the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater, delivers a welcoming speech |
 |
| 4. Andrei Konstantinovich Demyanyuk, Director of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus, delivers a welcoming speech |
 |
| 5. Handover of copies of archival documents |
 |
| 6. M.A.Starostenko, Head of Department of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus, talks about the unique documents on display at the exhibition |
 |
| 7. Musical numbers performed by young theater artists |
 |
| 8. Musical numbers performed by theater artists |
 |
| 9. Performance by People’s Artist of Belarus Zinaida Petrovna Zubova at the exhibition opening |
 |
| 10. Performance by People’s Artist of the BSSR Maria Georgievna Zakharevich at the exhibition opening |
 |
| 11. M.A.Starostenko, Head of Department of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus, introduces archival documents to the event participants |
 |
| 12. Introduction to archival documents |
 |
| 13. Introduction to archival documents |
 |
| 14. Introduction to archival documents |
 |
| 15. The staff of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus at the exhibition opening |
 |
| 16. The staff of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus at the exhibition opening |
 |
| 17. Director of the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus A.K.Demyanyuk presents books to People’s Artists |