On the presentation of the scientific publication «The Enemy’s Merciless Fierce Revenge!» by the Belarusian State Archive of Film and Photo Documents: film chronicle and film magazine «Savetskaya Belarus» of fiery years (June 1941 – November 1945)» in the Central Library named after. Ya Kupala

February 14, 2023 on the basis of the Central Library. Y. Kupala (Minsk) hosted a presentation of the scientific publication «The Enemy’s Merciless Fierce Revenge!»: Film Chronicle and Film Magazine «Savetskaya Belarus» of Fiery Years». The event was attended by students of the Minsk branch of the Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperatives, librarians, archivists, representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

This book, created in close cooperation with the specialists of the Belarusian State Archive of Film and Photo Documents (hereinafter referred to as BGAKFFD), is a profound study in the field of non-fiction screen film of the Great Patriotic War period. The author of the book, candidate of art history, associate professor Konstantin Igorevich Remishevsky emphasized the role of archival documents in strengthening statehood and preserving historical memory.

The author of the monograph spoke in detail about the difficult everyday life of front-line cameramen, and shots, the price of which is sometimes equal to a human life. During the lecture, scenes from film chronicles kept in the funds of the BGAKFFD were demonstrated. These are the works of Maria Sukhova and Ottilia Reizman (fragments from the montage-historical documentary film «Liberation of Soviet Belarus. Historical Chronicle», 1944), Vladimir Yeshurin.

Particular attention was focused on the revival of the Belarusian national newsreels. The newsreel «Savetskaya Belarus» was revived in one of the most difficult periods for the country – in the summer of 1942, and therefore is rightfully considered a phenomenon of national screen culture. As an example and illustration of the narration, the audience was shown scenes from the film magazine of 1942-1943. These are «L.P.Alexandrovskaya ў countrymen-Belarusians on the Kalinin front» and «Mashynist Murzіch».

The scientific value of this publication was noted in their speeches by the participants of the event, among whom were the director of the BGAKFFD Gonchar A.N., the director of the State Institution «Centralized System of State Public Libraries of Minsk» Matveeva E.I., the chief curator of the BGAKFFD funds Kot A.K. , Deputy Director of the Center for Research of Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Scientific and Innovative Work, Doctor of Historical Sciences Vityaz S.P.

This book, in its essence, is an addition to the scientific reference apparatus of the archive, expanding and revealing it. In addition to a deep art history analysis of the film chronicle of the period 1941-1945, the author of the book carried out a deep work to clarify and systematize information about the audiovisual heritage of the Great Patriotic War, which positively affects the possibility of its study and further popularization.

On the same day, another significant event took place: the directors of the BGAKFFD Gonchar A.N. and the State Institution «Centralized System of State Public Libraries of Minsk» Matveyeva E.I. a cooperation agreement was signed. This document defines the procedure for long-term partnership in order to implement joint projects and programs. Active preparations for future events are already underway by both sides.

Speech by the Director of the State Institution “Centralized System of State Public Libraries of Minsk” Matveyeva E.I. (photo by Y. Ivanov)

Signing of an agreement between the State Institution “Centralized System of State Public Libraries of the City of Minsk” and the Belarusian State Archive of Film and Photo Documents (photo by Y. Ivanov)

The audience during the presentation (photo by Y. Ivanov)

The audience during the presentation (photo by Y. Ivanov)

Speech by the author of the monograph K.I. Remishevsky (photo by Y. Ivanov)

Speech by the chief custodian of the BGAKFFD funds A.K. Kot (photo by Y. Ivanov)

Speech by the Deputy Director of the Center for Research of Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on scientific and innovative work, Doctor of Historical Sciences S.P. Vityaz (photo by Y. Ivanov)