The Polotsk Regional State Archives has prepared a virtual document exhibition, «The Mound of Immortality: A Man-Made Monument»

In 1966, in the southern part of Polotsk, on the left bank of the Western Dvina River, the city’s residents built the Mound of Immortality.

The Mound of Immortality is a monument created by thousands of people, a living embodiment of the people’s memory and gratitude, in memory of the residents of Polotsk and the Polotsk region who perished at the hands of the Nazis in the Great Patriotic War, as well as the soldiers of the Soviet Army who died fighting against the Nazi invaders in the city and Polotsk region. Earth from mass graves in the Orsha, Verkhnedvinsk, Glubokoe, Lepel, Polotsk, Rossony, Shumilino, and Ushach districts, from the Brest Fortress, and from the graves of Soviet soldiers in Olšany in Prague was brought to the mound. The mound (10 meters high) dominates the surrounding area. At its foot, an Eternal Flame burns, a last will and testament written by the 2017 youth to their descendants is immured under a marble slab, and a commemorative inscription is carved on another marble slab. A concrete staircase leads from the mound to the Western Dvina River, leading to the 50th Anniversary of Soviet Power Park.

The title of the exhibition, «Mound of Immortality: A Man-Made Monument», speaks for itself. We invite you to explore the history of this remarkable site through the lens of the labor, enthusiasm, and unity of its creators.

In this exhibition, archival documents reveal the story of the birth of this symbol. Here are materials that tell the story of how the idea took shape.

The story of Kurgan’s creation was recorded by Anatoly Vladimirovich Stepanov, who worked as an editor for Polotsk Regional Radio at the time of its construction.