Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 October (BelTA) – Belarus puts systemic efforts into restoring and preserving memory about events of World War One. Vice Premier of Belarus Anatoly Tozik voiced the opinion at the opening ceremony of the international scientific conference launched on 7 October to discuss World War One in people’s memory and artistic representation, BelTA has learned.

According to Anatoly Tozik, the scientific conference is one of the many steps on the way towards recovering the historic memory. “Government agencies, the clergy, the general public, young people and enthusiasts put systemic efforts into restoring and preserving history, the memory about those events the people, who were involved in them. A lot of effort is put into search operations, the accomplishment of military graveyards of the warring armies, into scientific conferences, exhibitions of archive documents, books are published and special tourist routes are offered,” said the official.

In early August commemorative events timed to the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of World War One took place in Smorgon. “The construction of a unique memorial in honor of all the victims of World War One is in progress in the symbolic place. I think it will be a unique facility that will become the venue to revere military courage and glory, the venue for peace and accord in Europe. It will encourage all of us to consolidate efforts to preserve peace in Europe and the world,” noted Anatoly Tozik.

BelTA learned from Alexander Lokotko, Director of the Belarusian Culture, Language, and Literature Studies Center, that taking part in the scientific conference will be more than 100 scientists from 11 countries. The number of participants of the conference is close to 500 people including Belarusian scientists and historians. In his words, the conference will feature reports by prominent scientists from Belarus, Russia, the UK, the USA, Poland, Serbia, and other countries. New achievements in researching events of the First World War will be discussed during the conference. “New scientific works have emerged to give a thorough evaluation to the war and to what was happening at the turning point of ages,” he said.

The conference will include a plenary session, the opening of a book exhibition, the presentation of a book by a World War One participant and Belarusian writer Maxim Goretsky, the screening of a movie about Minsk during World War One, panel sessions. The international scientific conference on World War One in people’s memory and artistic representation is scheduled to take place in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on 7-8 October.