Exhibition of heraldic symbols for administrative territorial units in Vitebsk region opened in Orsha

An exhibition of heraldic symbols for administrative and territorial units has recently opened at the Gramyka Arts Gallery in Vitebsk, entitled “The heraldic garland of the Vitebsk region”. On display are 37 heraldic symbols for towns and villages in the Vitebsk region. The exposition starts with the National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus and the heraldic symbol of the Vitebsk region.

The organizer of the exhibition is the archives and records management department at the Vitebsk Region Executive Committee.

The present exhibition is already incomplete. By his decree of 28 February 2011, the President of Belarus has established another five coat-of-arms, the coloured images of which have not yet been framed under glass. Therefore, presently there are 42 heraldic symbols for administrative and territorial units of Vitebsk region that have been officially registered. The same number is in the Brest region, which is higher than in the other regions of the country.

The heraldic symbols of the Vitebsk region are widely used in public life. Their images are placed on special shields at the entrance to the district or town. Last year the similar exhibition was staged in Vitebsk, this summer in Polotsk and in Glubokoe, and now in Orsha. These towns were selected not at random but as the important centers of archival service in the region, where the state archives are located.