The Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI) participated in the book presentation for the 100th anniversary of Belarusian Radio

On January 14, 2026, the National Library of Belarus hosted a ceremonial presentation of the book «Radio of the Country. Belarusian Radio – 100 Years on the Air». The event was attended by staff of the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (hereinafter referred to as BSAMLI), led by Director Elena Makarenko.

The publication «Radio of the Country. Belarusian Radio – 100 Years on the Air» is a large-scale scholarly study and an in-depth historical essay based on extensive archival collections. The book provides a detailed overview of the key stages in the development of national radio broadcasting, from the first signal in 1925 to the introduction of modern digital technologies. This book demonstrates the outstanding role of Belarusian radio in the country’s socio-political and socio-cultural life over the course of an entire century.

The publication’s particular value is enhanced by unique photographs and rare footage capturing the work of announcers from different eras, the construction of the first radio masts, and the behind-the-scenes of modern studios. The text seamlessly interweaves documentary evidence of key historical milestones—industrialization, collectivization, the heroic struggle of the people during the Great Patriotic War, and the stages of the formation of the sovereign Republic of Belarus—with living stories of people whose voices have become familiar to millions of listeners.

The book was prepared with the active participation of the country’s leading archival and museum institutions. It is richly illustrated with materials from the collections of the Belarusian State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art, the Belarusian State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents, the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus, the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, the Presidential Library, the Yakub Kolas and Yanka Kupala Literary Museums, and the archives of the Belarusian Television and Radio Company.

The presentation was attended by the book’s authors and editors, representatives of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus, the Union of Writers of Belarus, the Belarusian Union of Journalists, Belarus Publishing House, and the General Production Center of Belarusian Radio. The authors and creators of the book shared interesting facts about their work on the project and noted the importance of preserving the historical memory of our country’s voice.

During the event, the director of the Belarusian State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art was presented with a copy of the book «Radio Maps of the Country». «Belarusian Radio – 100 Years in the Air», which will take pride of place in the library collection of the archive-museum.

1. During the speech of the First Deputy Minister of Information of the Republic of Belarus, A.M.Kuntsevich

2. E.A.Makarenko with the authors of the book «Radio of the Country. Belarusian Radio – 100 Years in the Air» and guests of the event

3. A.K.Demyanyuk, E.A.Makarenko, A.N.Gonchar

4. E.A.Makarenko, G.V.Shablinskaya, S.N.Kolmak.