Opening of the book and documentary exhibition «Line of Fate», dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Belarusian statesman Nina Leonovna Snezhkova

On April 23, 2026, the National Library of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as NLB) and the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as NARB) opened a joint book and documentary exhibition, «Line of Fate», dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Belarusian statesman Nina Leonovna Snezhkova (1926–2008).

Symbolically, the centenary of this outstanding Belarusian woman coincided with the Year of the Belarusian Woman. N.L. Snezhkova’s undoubted talent and hard work, authority, and professionalism were in demand in various positions within the public administration system – in the Gomel Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Mogilev Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the All-Union Society «Knowledge».

The most striking line in Nina Leonovna Snezhkova’s biography was her work in the Government of Belarus, where from 1970 to 1985 she served as Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR. During this time, N.L. Snezhkova established herself as a highly qualified government leader, gathering a team of professionals and like-minded individuals around her.

NARB presented the most interesting documents from its collection at the exhibition. These materials relate to Nina Leonovna’s government and party activities: Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Byelorussian SSR on the appointment of N.L. Snezhkova as a member of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR; The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR appointing N.L. Snezhkova as Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Byelorussian SSR; N.L. Snezhkova’s guest ticket to the World Congress of Women in Moscow, and other documents.

Visitors to the exhibition can see the congratulatory telegram from the Head of State dated April 25, 2001, a photograph of Nina Snezhkova and Fidel Castro (1974), and a photograph from N.L. Snezhkova’s speech at a UN conference (1980).

Photographs from the Belarusian State Archive of Film and Photographic Documents on display at the exhibition tell of Nina Snezhkova’s activities in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as in 2006. Documents and photographs illustrate the history of N.L.Snezhkova’s work during her years as Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR, contribute to strengthening the authoritative image of the Belarusian female leader, and promote the historical heritage of our country.

The exhibition opening was attended by distinguished guests: Vadim Gigin, Director General of the National Library of Belarus and Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus; Igor Petrishenko, First Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States; Olga Shpilevskaya, Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women; Elena Stukanova, Deputy Director of the National Library of Belarus; Maria Khudyakova, Deputy Director for Educational Work at A. Gromyko Secondary School No.1 in Vetki; and Tatyana Kazakova, granddaughter of Nina Leonovna Snezhkova.

1. At the opening of the «Life Line» exhibition at the National Library of Belarus

2. At the opening of the «Life Line» exhibition at the National Library of Belarus

3. Director General of the National Library of Belarus V.F.Gigin delivers a welcoming speech at the exhibition opening.

4. Chairperson of the Belarusian Women’s Union O.A.Shpilevskaya

5. Granddaughter of N.L.Snezhkova, Tatyana Kazakova

6. At the opening of the exhibition

7. Archival documents on display.