The National Archive of the Republic of Belarus presents the virtual exhibition «The Alarming Dawn of the 41st..»

June 22. It was on this day in 1941 that the Great Patriotic War began, which became one of the most tragic pages in our history. By decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated March 23, 2022 No.117, June 22 is fixed in the calendar as the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People.

During its centuries-long history, Belarus has repeatedly become the scene of violent military conflicts. Every war left behind death, destruction and devastation. However, the most bloody and cruel was the Great Patriotic War.

The truth about those terrible years is carefully preserved. The National Archive of the Republic of Belarus contains unique documents that detail the preparation of fascist Germany for war, the actions of the Soviet military and political leadership to strengthen the defense capabilities of the BSSR, the organization of the evacuation of the population and material resources to the eastern regions of the USSR, the establishment of the Nazi occupation regime in Belarus and the policy of genocide, as well as the deployment of partisan and underground movements, the heroism of partisans and underground soldiers.

Archival sources convincingly prove that the Great Patriotic War was the greatest test for the entire country from the very beginning. At the same time, it unleashed a powerful surge of human patriotism. At the front and in the rear, people of different generations and nationalities demonstrated examples of unprecedented unity, courage and loyalty to the Motherland.

We remember everyone who gave their lives for the freedom of our land, and we preserve this historical truth for the sake of a peaceful future.

The exhibition «Anxious Dawn of the 41st..», timed to the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, invites everyone and opens access to unique primary sources, allows you to touch the tragic and heroic pages of our history.

The virtual exhibition can be found at the following link.

1. Title slide of the exhibition