The monumental composition "Marshal Bagramyan and Belarus" was unveiled in Vitebsk
The solemn opening ceremony of the monument was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Belarus, Razmik Khumaryan, the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev, the Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Nikolai Orlov, and the Head of the Administration of the Pervomaisky District of Vitebsk, Yevgeny Semenychev. The event was held as part of the microdistrict festival "We are entrusted to cherish this path."
Under the command of Ivan Bagramyan, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of the Soviet Union, the troops of the 1st Baltic Front, in cooperation with the troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front, liberated Vitebsk from the Nazi invaders on June 26, 1944. In tribute to the outstanding commander, guests laid flowers at the memorial plaque located at house No. 103 on Moskovsky Prospekt at the intersection with Bagramyan Street.
The unveiled architectural and sculptural composition by sculptor Ripsime Gevorgyan and architect Armen Sardarov includes information about the most important operations for the liberation of Belarus conducted under the command of Ivan Bagramyan. The composition consists of two round plates. One bas-relief features silhouettes of soldiers and military equipment, while the second is engraved with symbols of Armenia – figures of eagles and Mount Ararat. The monument immortalizes the words of the marshal: "The experience of history shows that the path to victory is thorny, and only those who are inspired by a sense of patriotism and the nobility of purpose overcome it with honor." The composition will become a symbol of friendship between Armenia and Belarus and their common cause – preserving the historical memory of the feat of grandfathers and great-grandfathers.
– Today, we are immortalizing the memory of one of the great sons of the Armenian people on Belarusian soil, whose name is inextricably linked with Belarus. Here, at this site, concepts such as childhood, patriotism, peace, and friendship are organically intertwined. The date of the event is also symbolic – June 1, Children's Day. It is gratifying that in the Vitebsk region, they remember the Marshal's contribution to the liberation of the Belarusian people, towards whom he felt affection. Work is being done here to perpetuate his name. In 2018, a bust-monument to the Hero was unveiled in Horadok, a large-scale graffiti depicting the Marshal's portrait was placed on the school wall, and School No. 1 of Horadok bears his name. I would like to thank everyone involved in today's event, which, in the Year of Historical Memory declared in Belarus, acquires particular relevance and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It also serves as a reminder of the more than 50,000 Armenians who fought for the liberation of Belarus. The memory of these events of common history brings our peoples closer together and is an indestructible foundation for the further development of Armenian-Belarusian relations, – noted Razmik Khumaryan.
– It is no coincidence that we are unveiling this monument on Children's Day. Ivan Bagramyan was not accidentally called the "Pioneer and Komsomol Marshal" for his interest in the affairs of pioneers and the military-patriotic game "Zarnitsa," informed Vladimir Terentyev.
Interactive platforms and play areas were set up on the grounds of Secondary School No. 46. The performances of creative groups became a highlight of the event.
