Knowledge Day at the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI)

On September 1, 2026, the new 2026/2027 academic year began in all general secondary education institutions of the Republic of Belarus. Ceremonial assemblies across the country were dedicated to the holiday – Knowledge Day. A symbolic continuation of the first day of school was a visit to the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI) by 7th-grade students from Secondary School No.127 in Minsk.

Vera Valentinovna Birulya, Head of the Information, Publication, and Document Use Department, led the students on a fascinating tour and introduced them to the institution’s main activities and current functions.

The students were able to not only experience the rich cultural heritage but also immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the ancient architecture of the former Bernardine Church, which houses the archives and museum. The students were told that the Belarusian State Academy of Literature and Art (BSAMLI) houses documents on the history of Belarusian literature, theater, music, cinema, and fine arts. Approximately half of the collection consists of archives of Belarusian writers and poets: collections of documents by Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas, the Bogdanovich family, and the collections of Yanka Mavr, Tishka Gartny, Ivan Melezh, Maxim Tank, Arkady Kuleshov, Pimen Panchenko, and many others.

In the archive’s reading room, the participants viewed a thematic banner exhibition commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Belarusian State Archives and Museum of Literature and Art (BSAMLI). V.V.Birulya drew the students’ attention to the institution’s ongoing document collection, which forms a solid foundation for future research.

The visit to the BSAMLI was a vivid visual embodiment of the theme of the first school lesson, «Knowledge Today – Strength and Prosperity of Belarus Tomorrow!», providing the students with a wealth of positive emotions, unforgettable impressions, and new insights into the cultural richness of Belarus. The archive-museum staff congratulated the students and teachers, wishing them creative success and high achievements in the upcoming academic year and presented them with a valuable gift – the book «Discovering a New World. Ivan Fedorov. Francysk Skaryna», published as part of the «Union State Library» project.

On this day, the BSAMLI staff also attended a ceremonial assembly at Minsk Secondary School No.4, with which the archive-museum has a cooperation agreement.

1. Knowledge Day at BSAMLI

2. Students from Minsk Secondary School No.127 visiting archivists

3. V.V.Birulya introduces students to the history of the archive-museum

4. In the BSAMLI reading room

5. Ceremonial assembly at Minsk Secondary School No.4

6. During the assembly at School No.4