On the participation of the State Archives of the Gomel Region in an event dedicated to young anti-fascist heroes

On February 8, 2026, as part of the national «Archives for School» campaign, the State Archives of the Gomel Region participated in a lesson titled «Young Anti-Fascist Hero Day» at Gomel Secondary School No.75. Senior researcher at the archive, Maya Valentinovna Vaschenko, addressed the students at the event.

Maya Valentinovna told the students about a document—the award certificate of the young partisan Eva Moskalenko, which is currently being kept in the archive. The document contains information about the heroism of the young partisan, who served as a signalman and scout in the Stalin Partisan Brigade in the Dobrush District of the Byelorussian SSR in 1943. Eva was only 12 years old at the time of the hostilities. Thanks to the information she passed on to the partisans about the German military equipment’s location, they were able to carry out sabotage, thereby weakening the enemy’s military strength. For her courage and bravery, Eva Moskalenko was awarded the «Partisan of the Great Patriotic War, 2nd Class» medal.

«Thousands of young people, our peers and wearing Pioneer ties, stood up to defend their homeland alongside adults. And they were boys and girls with their bright dreams and cheerful, mischievous ideas. Today is the day of remembrance for the boys and girls who died for their homeland, freedom, and independence. The lives of these young heroes are short, but their example is powerful. We know the names of these heroes. And how many more were there—boys and girls who performed their own small acts of heroism, whose names remain unknown? All people share a love for their native land, where they were born and raised, for their beautiful Motherland». This love has been demonstrated throughout the ages in their willingness to defend their Fatherland with all their lives. Let us remember these young heroes today and bow our heads in deep respect and heartfelt gratitude», Maya Valentinovna concluded.

The students spoke about the exploits of young partisans and underground fighters who gave their young lives in the fight against fascism. Photographs of the young anti-fascist heroes were posted on the school’s Memorial Board.

At the end of the event, the students were shown the film «The Exploits of Young Heroes».

1-2. Students from Gomel Secondary School No.75 and M.V. Vashchenko at an event dedicated to young anti-fascist heroes.

3. A student’s presentation on the heroism of young anti-fascists.

4. Students watching a film about the exploits of young heroes.