The National Archives of the Republic of Belarus Unveils a Documentary Exhibition for City Day
On September 11, 2026, as part of the City Day celebrations, an exhibition of archival documents titled «Minsk: A City of Cinema» opened at the renovated Pobeda Cinema.
The exhibition invites residents and visitors of the capital to embark on a captivating journey through the century-long history of Belarusian cinema, revealing previously unseen chapters of the country’s cultural heritage. The project harmoniously blends two key themes: the broader story of the birth and development of national film production, and the dramatic yet inspiring history of one of Minsk’s architectural gems—the legendary Pobeda Cinema.
The narrative begins in 1924, when a decree by the Council of People’s Commissars of the BSSR, «On the Regulation of Cinema Affairs in the BSSR», laid a solid legal and economic foundation for the establishment of the «Belgoskino» organization. Documents vividly illustrate how, in the post-revolutionary era and despite technical challenges, Belarusian directors, cinematographers, actors, and screenwriters forged a unique visual identity for the young republic.
The second part of the exhibition is dedicated entirely to the history of the Pobeda Cinema. Its story is inextricably linked to the post-war revival of Minsk, a time when new monumental structures rose—literally from the ashes—along the city’s ruined streets. Construction took place in the late 1940s based on designs by renowned Soviet architects I.Langbard and M.Baklanov, with the official opening held in 1950. Archival documents recount how screenings were organized and cutting-edge technologies—such as the republic’s first wide-screen projection system—were introduced, tracing the cinema’s evolution into a central hub for social gatherings, leisure, and cultural life for the people of Minsk. Today, Minsk’s oldest cinema is a next-generation multiplex featuring five state-of-the-art auditoriums equipped with the latest technology, all while preserving its historic soul and majestic appearance.
As part of the City Day celebrations, the exhibition aims to highlight Minsk’s status as a major cultural hub, demonstrate the continuity of generations through archival documents, and showcase the historical significance and architectural charm of the renovated Pobeda Cinema.
The festive exhibition was presented to residents and visitors of the capital by M.A.Starostenko, a department head at the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus. Cinema-goers had a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Minsk cinema and be the first to view unique archival records from that era.
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| 1. Exhibition poster |
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| 2. City Day documentary exhibition display |
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| 3. M.A. Starostenko (National Archives) introduces the archival exhibition to V.M.Karachevsky, General Director of the Kinovideoprokat enterprise (Minsk City Executive Committee), and First Deputy Director I.I.Kuznetsov |
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| 4. Documentary exhibition at the Pobeda Cinema |
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| 5. Visitors viewing archival documents |
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| 6. Visitors viewing archival documents |
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| 7. Visitors viewing archival documents |
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| 8. Archival documents on display |
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| 9. Archival documents on display |
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| 10. Archival documents on display |