Visit of St.Petersburg archivists to the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus

Published: July 15, 2025

On July 14, 2025, as part of the Days of St.Petersburg in Minsk, the head of the department for the use of documents, project and organizational work of the Archival Committee of St.Petersburg N.G.Mironenko and the director of the St.Petersburg State Budgetary Institution «Laboratory for Ensuring the Preservation of Documents of State Archival Institutions of St.Petersburg» O.N.Peibo visited the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus.

An important aspect of this visit was the discussion of current issues facing archival institutions of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, including digitalization, improving access to archival information and the introduction of modern technologies in the work of archives.

Deputy Director of the Department of Archives and Records Management of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus A.E.Tsvetkov presented a report on the main areas of work of the archives of the Republic of Belarus at the present stage, including the acceptance of documents and files for permanent storage, the creation of digital copies of documents, exhibition and publication activities, the use of artificial intelligence in the preparation of video stories, etc.

Natalia Gennadyevna Mironenko spoke about the network of archival institutions of St. Petersburg and presented a presentation «Exhibition and publishing activities of the archival service of St.Petersburg». Among the significant projects prepared by the archives of St. Petersburg in 2024-2025, she noted exhibitions on the history of the Great Patriotic War and the siege of Leningrad, the legislative power of St.Petersburg, the Staroladozhsky Nikolsky Monastery, etc.

In the report of Olga Nikolaevna Peibo «Work to ensure the safety of archival documents in the St. Petersburg State Institution Leningrad State Agrarian University» the main areas of the laboratory’s activities were reflected: dust removal and dry cleaning of documents, collection of a microbiological sample, determination of the acidity of documents, the restoration process, binding, microfilming and scanning of archival documents.

In addition, during the meeting the first deputy head of the main department of justice of the Minsk City Executive Committee V.V.Kalin and the head of the department of office work and formation of the National Archival Fund of the archive T.A.Shevchenko spoke.

The guests were given a guided tour of the archive, during which they were introduced to the history of the archive and the main areas of its activities, the composition and features of document storage, as well as the work of the archive reading room. Of particular interest was the visit to the archive of personal funds, where documents of state, party and public figures, scientists of Belarus are stored. In addition, documents were shown that reflect the ties of St.Petersburg with Belarus, its residents and history.

Thus, meetings between archivists of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation contribute to the strengthening of professional ties, the development of archival work in both countries and the preservation of documentary heritage for the most complete understanding of historical processes.

1. Speech by Deputy Director of the Department of Archives and Records Management of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus A.E.Tsvetkov

2. Speech by Head of the Department of Document Use, Project and Organizational Work of the Archival Committee of St. Petersburg N.G.Mironenko

3. Speech by Director of the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution «Laboratory for Ensuring the Preservation of Documents of State Archival Institutions of St. Petersburg» O.N.Peibo