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| Home | News | Photo | 75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Renovations of the Victory Monument and the famous square in Minsk

75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Renovations of the Victory Monument and the famous square in Minsk

75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Renovations of the Victory Monument and the famous square in Minsk
13 Apr 2020

The Victory Monument, Belarus’ main obelisk, the calling card of the Minsk Hero City, has been renovated ahead of the significant date: the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A month before the anniversary on 9 May, restorers and builders completed the main works, removed the construction fence, planted young spruces and re-lit the Eternal Fire at the foot of the monument. Now they are putting finishing touches.

The 38-meter high Victory Monument by architects Georgy Zaborsky and Vladimir Korol was a symbolic gift to the city in 1954 in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. Back then a quadrangular obelisk covered with gray granite and crowned with a massive image of the Order of Victory was unveiled in the square to become one of the most recognizable symbols of Minsk. Today it is the main venue of annual Victory Day celebrations. World leaders and foreign delegations come here to lay wreaths.

Since it was erected, the monument has been restored more than once. The latest restoration works, which began in August 2019, are nearing completion.

The monument immortalizing courage and self-sacrifice has not changed: the square has the status of historical and cultural value, thus it was not allowed to alter its original appearance. The monument was thoroughly cleaned, restored, and treated against precipitation.

The stylobate of the monument, the bronze coats of arms and high reliefs of the pedestal (designed by four famous Belarusian sculptors), the bronze sword of the Victory, the wreaths and their bases were carefully renovated. The Victory Order crowning the obelisk will also shine brighter after cleaning, restoration and gilding works.

The underground gallery has undergone a more noticeable change. All the elements were restored there, including the Wreath of Glory made of cast stained glass and wall inscriptions that touch to tears. A number of novelties were introduced as well. The Memorial Hall in honor of those who gave their lives liberating Belarus has been decorated with special illumination and – for the first time ever – fitted with modern visual means. One can get familiar with the history of the war, sceneries of Minsk, and other images right by the monument. The entrances to the Memorial Hall feature information stands in the Belarusian, Russian, and English languages to tell visitors about the tragedy of the war in Belarus.

The walls around the Wreath of Glory feature reproductions of war-themed paintings by famous Belarusian artists (the Defense of the Brest Fortress by Yevgeny Zaitsev, Ruben Ibarruri Near Borisov by Fyodor Baranovsky, The Feat of the Seventeen by Mikhail Savitsky) as well as documentary photos…

Restored Victory Square in Minsk can be seen from various angles in the photo album.

The obelisk is crowned by the image of the Order of Victory
Victory Square in Minsk is nearly ready to reopen after renovation
Victory Square in Minsk is nearly ready to reopen after renovation
75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Renovations of the Victory Monument and the famous square in Minsk
Victory Square in Minsk in the evening
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