On the participation of the State Archives of the Gomel Region in a roundtable discussion dedicated to National Unity Day

On September 17, 2025, Yuri Vasilyevich Shestopalov, Director of the State Archives of the Gomel Region, took part in a roundtable discussion at the Gomel State Polytechnical College dedicated to the national holiday, National Unity Day. Speakers at the event included representatives of the Communist Party of Belarus, museum workers, and clergy.

Yuri Vasilyevich Shestopalov told the students about the historical events of the reunification of Western Belarus and the Byelorussian SSR and the Red Army’s march on September 17, 1939. These significant events marked the beginning of the national holiday, National Unity Day, which was originally called the Day of Liberation of the Workers of Western Belarus from the Oppression of the Bourgeoisie and Landowners.

At the Sixth All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, the idea of establishing this holiday was voiced at the highest level. On June 7, 2021, by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus, September 17 was declared a national holiday.

«Historical justice was restored for the Belarusian people, who had been divided since 1921 under the terms of the Riga Peace Treaty», said Yuri Vasilyevich. The reunification of the Belarusian people marked a new beginning in the development of the Belarusian state. Belarusian schools, universities, theaters, and libraries opened in Western Belarus. Construction of new factories and plants began. Within a year, industrial production doubled compared to 1938.

College students were shown documentary material prepared by the Belarusian State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents, «Reunification of the Belarusian People».

1. Speech by Archive Director Yuri Shestopalov at the event.

2-4. Students of the Gomel State Polytechnic College ask questions.

5. Participants of the event.