Dozens of Polotsk residents were able to write their names into the history of their hometown

May 13, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Dozens of Polotsk residents have taken advantage of the unique opportunity to inscribe their names in the history of their native city this year, the chief curator of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, Inna Pesina, told a BELTA correspondent. The "Inscribe Yourself in the History of Polotsk" campaign has been running since May 1. To participate, people were invited to donate any exhibits related to the history of the ancient city to the museum-reserve free of charge. Dozens of people seized the chance to enter their names into the annals of Polotsk's history. Thanks to them, the museum-reserve's collections received about 1.4 thousand exhibits. These include individual household items, documents, photographs, as well as large collections of books, archaeological finds, graphic works, including a collection dedicated to the history of folk theater. Many of the exhibits will soon form the basis of separate exhibitions and will also be included in the exposition of the Museum of the History of Polotsk, which is planned to open in 2012. The names of each donor have been entered into a special book. The participants of the campaign will be honored on May 16. At the ceremony, they will be awarded "Honorary Donor" certificates and specially established certificates for free admission to all Polotsk museums during the current year. The European Night of Museums will be celebrated in Polotsk with other festive events, Inna Pesina noted, adding that all museums of the reserve are preparing pleasant surprises for their visitors. For example, a show of living exhibits will take place at the Children's Museum. An open-air silent film screening at the Local History Museum will immerse viewers in the atmosphere of a post-war cinema. An exhibition dedicated to the history of cinema will also be held here. Visitors to the Art Gallery will witness the creation of a light masterpiece. Several Polotsk artists will bring to life a unique plot on a huge canvas using luminescent paints. Anyone can purchase this work at an auction that will take place immediately after the performance. The final chord of the Night of Museums in Polotsk will be a grand concert "Harmony of Music and Light" in the St. Sophia Cathedral. In accordance with the best traditions of the European Night of Museums, admission to all museums in the city on May 16 will be free, Inna Pesina added. -0-