The international competition for teenage historical and documentary media works, «Without Statute of Limitations: Unconquered», concluded in Gomel

On May 15, 2026, the three-day youth media marathon «Without Statute of Limitations: Unconquered», dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War, concluded.

The project’s goal was achieved. During three days of theory and practice, young filmmakers—Gomel schoolchildren—under the guidance of professional actor, screenwriter, and theater and film director Oleg Golub from Russia, acquired the basic skills of directing, editing, and filming video content on the subject of the genocide of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

While creating the video content, the young filmmakers examined documents from the State Archives of the Gomel Region, including the verification and filtration files of repatriated Soviet citizens deported to Germany for slave labor, and the documents of the Extraordinary State Commission for the Investigation of Crimes and Material Damage in Gomel and the Gomel Region. Primary source information—archival files—allowed them to connect with real pages of history and more deeply understand the tragedy of the events.

Ultimately, a panel of experts recognized the four best team entries in the «Student Works» category.

Third place went to «Chenkovsky Forest», a work by the «Cadets» team from the Gomel Cadet School. Second place was shared between the work «Callsign Katya» by the «Patriots» team from Gomel Secondary School No.75 and the song of sorrow «Wind over Khatyn» by the «Noir» team from Gomel Secondary School No.19. First place was awarded to the work «Voice from the Past» by the «The Dawns Here Are Quiet» team from Gomel Secondary School No.74. The young filmmakers’ creative works were awarded commemorative prizes.

O.L.Voinov, Director of the Department of Archives and Records Management of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus, proposed the theme of post-war reconstruction and the labor heroism of the Soviet people for the new media forum, which will also be educational for the younger generation.

At the invitation of the Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin, the guests took a tour of the House Church at the Gomel Diocesan Administration. This unique space, which includes a church and museum, showcased church historical and cultural exhibits. Guests also visited the «Partisan Spring» military-historical complex, where they learned about the military actions of partisan units in the Gomel region.

1-4. Award ceremony for finalists and announcement of competition results

5-6. During a tour of the House Church of the Gomel Diocesan Administration