Andrei Halias

Palace of Culture of Trade Unions (Belarusian: Палац культуры прафсаюзаў) in Minsk is a significant cultural center that has served as a venue for various events for decades. Officially opened on July 3, 1956, this cultural house is located in the heart of the Belarusian capital, at Independence Avenue, 25, near <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/80/description">October Square</a> and the Oktyabrskaya metro station. The building was designed by architect Vladimir Alexandrovich Ershov. The project was realized in 1954, and since then, the Palace has become a landmark of the city, attracting the attention of both residents and guests of the capital.

The Palace building is designed in a style reminiscent of ancient Greek temples, which is especially noticeable in its monumentality and majestic Ionic columns. The architectural design of the building expresses the harmony of art, science, and labor, as reflected in the sculptural composition adorning the facade. On the front of the building, there are figures symbolizing representatives of different spheres of life: a girl with a violin, a worker, a peasant, an athlete, a student with a globe, and a scientist-engineer. These figures were created by Belarusian sculptors Alexey Glebov, Viktor Popov, and Sergey Selikhanov. According to historians and art critics, all the sculptures had real-life prototypes, which gives them additional symbolic significance. For example, the prototype of the peasant woman was the famous Belarusian opera singer Larisa Alexandrovskaya.

The Palace of Culture of Trade Unions is not just a building with a rich history, but also a modern cultural center that hosts more than 30 creative groups, clubs, and studios. About 700 various events are held here annually, including concerts, theatrical performances, competitions, and festivals. Dance classes hold a special place, as the Palace has a specialized dance hall equipped with mirrored walls and barres. This hall was opened in 2005 and quickly became popular among the city's dance groups.

The interior of the Palace is no less impressive than its exterior. On the ground floor, there is a spacious columned hall, which amazes with its luxurious stucco and architectural details. Special attention is given to the arched vaults and numerous columns, giving the hall a monumental appearance. This hall often hosts ceremonial events and receptions. There is also a theater hall that can accommodate up to 850 spectators. The theater stage was modeled after the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, allowing for performances of the highest level.

The Palace is also an important place for education and historical memory preservation. It houses the Museum of the History of the Belarusian Trade Union Movement, which contains more than 1,700 unique exhibits. This museum acquaints visitors with the history of the trade union movement in the country, its development, and key events related to the protection of workers' rights. The museum features archival documents, photographs, household items, and tools, making it an important center for the preservation of cultural heritage.

In addition to cultural and educational activities, the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions attracts attention with its location. The building stands right on October Square, next to the Palace of the Republic and other iconic landmarks of the capital. This area of Minsk is known for its rich historical past. In the 19th century, the site of the modern Palace of Culture was occupied by the wooden Church of St. George. Later, the "Borsch House" was built here — a building that housed a printing office and the control office of the Libava-Romensk Railway. Even at that time, this area was popular among city dwellers thanks to its many entertainment venues.

However, by the mid-20th century, the old building had fallen into disrepair, and after the end of World War II, a decision was made to construct a new Palace of Culture of Trade Unions. Architect Vladimir Ershov invested not only his knowledge and experience into the project but also the desire to create something more than just a building. Today, the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions is a true architectural gem of Minsk. Its monumentality and elegance both impress and inspire admiration. Especially notable are the sculptures adorning the facade, which, despite restorations, retain their historical significance and aesthetic value.

An interesting fact is that the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions has been recreated in architectural miniature at the "Country in Miniature" museum. Now, residents and visitors of the city have the opportunity to see the building on a smaller scale and admire its day and night lighting.

Thus, the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions is not only an important cultural and historical landmark of Minsk but also a symbol of the unity of labor, creativity, and science. Its majestic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and active involvement make it one of the main attractions of the Belarusian capital.

工会文化宫（白俄罗斯语：Палац культуры прафсаюзаў）位于明斯克，是一个重要的文化中心，几十年来一直是举办各种活动的场所。它于1956年7月3日正式开放，坐落在白俄罗斯首都的心脏地带，独立大街25号，靠近<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/80/description">十月广场</a>和十月地铁站。该建筑由建筑师弗拉基米尔·亚历山德罗维奇·叶尔绍夫设计。该项目于1954年完成，从那时起，文化宫成为城市的标志性建筑，吸引着居民和首都的游客。

该建筑采用了类似古希腊神庙的风格，特别是通过其纪念性和庄严的爱奥尼柱式体现出来。建筑的设计表达了艺术、科学和劳动的和谐，这在装饰立面的雕塑作品中有所体现。在建筑的正面，有象征不同生活领域的代表人物：小提琴手少女、工人、农民、运动员、带着地球仪的学生和科学家工程师。这些雕像是由白俄罗斯雕塑家阿列克谢·格列博夫、维克多·波波夫和谢尔盖·塞利哈诺夫创作的。据历史学家和艺术评论家介绍，所有雕塑都有真实的原型，这赋予了它们额外的象征意义。例如，农妇的原型是著名的白俄罗斯歌剧女歌手拉里萨·亚历山德罗夫斯卡娅。

工会文化宫不仅是一座拥有丰富历史的建筑，还是一个现代文化中心，拥有30多个创作团体、俱乐部和工作室。这里每年举办约700场各种活动，包括音乐会、戏剧表演、比赛和节日。舞蹈课占据了特殊地位，因为文化宫拥有一间专门的舞蹈室，配备了镜墙和扶手杆。这个舞蹈室于2005年开放，迅速受到该市舞蹈团体的欢迎。

文化宫的内部装饰与其外部的辉煌相媲美。一楼有一个宽敞的柱厅，其豪华的浮雕和建筑细节令人惊叹。拱形穹顶和众多柱子特别引人注目，赋予大厅一种宏伟的外观。这个大厅经常举办庆祝活动和招待会。这里还有一个可容纳850名观众的剧院。剧院舞台是按照莫斯科大剧院的舞台模型建造的，使得可以在这里进行最高水准的演出。

文化宫也是一个重要的教育和历史记忆保存场所。这里设有白俄罗斯工会运动历史博物馆，馆藏超过1700件独特展品。这个博物馆让游客了解该国工会运动的历史、发展以及与工人权益保护相关的重大事件。博物馆展示了档案文件、照片、家居用品和劳动工具，使其成为保存文化遗产的重要中心。

除了文化和教育活动，工会文化宫因其位置而备受瞩目。建筑正位于十月广场，毗邻共和国宫和首都的其他标志性建筑。明斯克的这个地区以其丰富的历史背景而闻名。19世纪，现代工会文化宫所在的地方曾是圣乔治木教堂的所在地。后来，这里建造了“鲍尔奇之家”——一座设有印刷办公室和利巴瓦-罗门斯克铁路管理办公室的建筑。即使在那个时代，由于众多娱乐场所的存在，该地区就已经很受市民欢迎。

然而，到20世纪中期，旧建筑已破败不堪，二战结束后，决定建造新的工会文化宫。建筑师弗拉基米尔·叶尔绍夫不仅将他的知识和经验融入了项目，还致力于创建一个不仅仅是建筑物的东西。今天，工会文化宫是明斯克真正的建筑瑰宝。其宏伟与优雅同时给人留下深刻印象并引发钦佩。特别值得注意的是装饰正面的雕塑，尽管经过修复