Andrei Halias

The Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (WWII Museum) in Minsk is a unique cultural and historical site that is the first museum in the world dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War. It was founded during the years of fascist occupation on September 30, 1943, and opened its doors to visitors on October 22, 1944. Since then, the museum has become not only a keeper of the memory of the tragic events of the war but also an important educational center where one can learn about the feats and sacrifices of the Belarusian people.

The museum is now located in a modern building that opened on July 2, 2014, designed by architect Viktor Kramarenko. This majestic structure, shaped like a semicircle and complemented by the obelisk “Minsk - Hero City,” symbolizes the heroism and resilience of Belarusians. The main facade of the building is designed to resemble rays of salute, representing ten significant events of the war, from the defense of the Brest Fortress to the raising of the Victory Banner over the Reichstag. The total area of the museum is over 15,000 square meters, with an exhibition area of 4,000 square meters.

The museum has an impressive collection of more than 154,000 museum items, including 8,000 exhibits that are available for visitors. These artifacts have been collected not only from Belarus but also donated from various countries, highlighting the museum's international significance. The collections are divided into 28 thematic directions, reflecting key aspects of the war and its aftermath.

The museum's exhibition is built on a chronological principle and covers three main time periods:

<ul><li>Pre-war period: Here, visitors can familiarize themselves with the history leading up to the war and understand the causes that led to the conflict, as well as the role of the USSR in the struggle for peace.</li> <li>War period: This section tells about key military events, such as the Nazi occupation regime in Belarus and the feats of the Belarusian people in fighting against the invaders. Unique materials, including photographs, documents, and personal belongings of soldiers, allow for a deeper understanding of the scale and tragedy of the war.</li> <li>Post-war period: This section shows the process of restoring Belarus after the war, as well as the participation of Belarusians in post-war conflicts. This part of the exhibition emphasizes that the restoration of the country became a continuation of the military feat, demonstrating the labor resilience of the people.</li></ul>
The museum is also equipped with modern multimedia technologies that make the tours even more engaging. The use of holographic 3D installations, fog screens, and information kiosks allows visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of that time. Multimedia exhibits help recreate the events of the war in a lively format, making history more accessible and understandable to a wide audience.

One of the main attributes of the museum is the Hall of Victory, designed in the form of the Reichstag dome. In this hall, the names of Heroes of the Soviet Union and military formations that fought for the liberation of Belarus are immortalized. This memorial space serves as a reminder of the price of freedom and the importance of preserving the memory of heroes.

Visitors can choose from various tours: from general to thematic, covering all aspects of the Great Patriotic War. There are also quests, such as “The Path to Victory” and “The Bag with the Red Cross,” which make the exploration of history interactive and engaging. Ticket prices range from 5 to 10 Belarusian rubles, while thematic tours cost between 20 and 40 rubles per group, making the visit affordable for all categories of citizens.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (entry until 6:30 PM), with Monday being a day off. On state holidays, the operating hours may change, which is announced in advance on the <a href="https://www.warmuseum.by/">museum's website</a>. An audio guide is also available in six languages, making the museum accessible to foreign tourists.

The Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (WWII Museum) in Minsk is not only a repository of historical memory but also a place where everyone can gain valuable knowledge about the past. It plays an important role in education, enlightenment, and nurturing the younger generation, reminding us of the significance of preserving peace and the value of human life. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this important cultural site and learn more about Belarus's heroic past!

明斯克白俄罗斯国家伟大卫国战争历史博物馆（卫国战争博物馆） 是一个独特的文化和历史遗址，它是世界上第一座专门纪念伟大卫国战争事件的博物馆。它成立于法西斯占领时期，1943年9月30日，1944年10月22日对外开放。从那时起，博物馆不仅成为战争悲惨事件的记忆守护者，而且成为一个重要的教育中心，供人们了解白俄罗斯人民的英雄事迹和牺牲。

现在博物馆位于一座现代建筑内，该建筑于2014年7月2日落成，由建筑师维克托·克拉马连科设计。这座雄伟的建筑呈半圆形，配有“明斯克-英雄城市”纪念碑，象征着白俄罗斯人民的英雄主义和韧性。建筑的正面设计呈现出烟火的光芒，代表战争中的十个重要事件，从布列斯特要塞的防御到胜利旗帜在国会大厦上升起。博物馆总面积超过15,000平方米，展览区域占4,000平方米。

博物馆拥有超过154,000件展品的令人印象深刻的收藏，其中8,000件展品对游客开放。这些文物不仅在白俄罗斯收集，还来自多个国家的捐赠，突显了博物馆的国际重要性。收藏品分为28个主题方向，反映战争及其后果的关键方面。

博物馆的展览以时间顺序为原则，涵盖三个主要时期：

<ul><li>战前时期：在这里，游客可以了解战争开始之前的历史，理解导致冲突的原因，以及苏联在争取和平中的作用。</li> <li>战争时期：这一部分讲述了关键的军事事件，例如纳粹占领白俄罗斯的政权和白俄罗斯人民抵抗侵略者的英雄事迹。独特的材料，包括照片、文件和士兵的个人物品，让人们更深入地理解战争的规模和悲剧。</li> <li>战后时期：这一部分展示了战争后白俄罗斯的恢复过程，以及白俄罗斯人在战后冲突中的参与。这部分展览强调了国家的恢复是军事壮举的延续，展现了人民的劳动韧性。</li></ul>
博物馆还配备了现代多媒体技术，使参观更加引人入胜。使用全息3D装置、雾幕屏和信息亭，使游客能够沉浸在那个时代的氛围中。多媒体展览以生动的形式重现战争事件，使历史对广大观众更加易懂和可接触。

博物馆的一个主要特征是胜利厅，其设计灵感来源于国会大厦的圆顶。在这个大厅中，苏联英雄和为解放白俄罗斯而战的军事单位的名字被铭刻。这一纪念空间提醒我们自由的代价以及保存英雄记忆的重要性。

游客可以选择不同的游览路线：从概览到主题游，涵盖伟大卫国战争的各个方面。还有一些任务，例如“通往胜利的道路”和“红十字的包”，使历史的探索互动且引人入胜。门票价格从5到10白俄罗斯卢布不等，主题游的价格在20到40卢布之间，适合各类公民的参观。

博物馆的开放时间为星期二至星期日的10:00至19:00（入场截至18:30），星期一为休息日。在国家假日期间，营业时间可能会有所更改，相关信息会提前在<a href="https://www.warmuseum.by/">博物馆网站</a>上发布。博物馆还提供六种语言的音频导览，使外国游客也能方便参观。

明斯克白俄罗斯国家伟大卫国战争历史博物馆（卫国战争博物馆）不仅是历史记忆的仓库，也是每个人获取过去珍贵知识的地方。它在教育、启蒙和培养年轻一代方面发挥着重要作用，提醒我们保持和平和珍视生命的重要性。不要错过参观这个重要文化场所的机会，了解更多关于白俄罗斯英雄历史的知识！