The Battle of Berezina in 1812 could form the basis for the creation of an international memorial complex

May 13, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. The battle on the Berezina River near Borisov could become the basis for the creation of an international memorial complex to commemorate the peoples of Europe in honor of the 200th anniversary of the battle between the Russian and Napoleonic armies. This was announced by Nikolai Grachev, scientific editor of the publishing house "Belarusian Encyclopedia named after Petrus Brovka," at the international scientific and practical conference "Belarus in the Patriotic War of 1812" held in Vitebsk, according to a BELTA correspondent. The battle on the Berezina was effectively the last battle of the Patriotic War of 1812, in which Napoleon was in overall command of the French army. During the battle, the Napoleonic troops suffered losses of about 35,000 men, with representatives of many European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, and others, actually fighting in their ranks. "Today, interest in events from almost 200 years ago is huge, so the creation of an international memorial complex could become a significant project with high tourism potential," Grachev is confident. Currently, a draft design has been developed, but so far the work is mainly carried out on the enthusiasm of local historians. The idea has received a preliminary positive assessment from the Ministry of Culture, and state support is needed to give it momentum in its implementation, including assistance within the framework of the Union State, Grachev is confident. The memorial complex project to commemorate the peoples of Europe involves the creation of a volumetric composition in the form of a memorial park that will unite existing and new memorial objects. Currently, the battlefield hosts a monument to the fallen Russian jaegers, erected in 1912 for the 100th anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War, a memorial stele in memory of the fallen Belarusian partisans in the War of 1812, and a monument to the fallen French soldiers, opened in 1992. A volumetric entrance group in the form of an arch and gates could also be created here, and it is proposed to place a column topped with a sculptural composition. In the central part of the future complex, it is planned to erect a memorial pantheon to the memory of the peoples of Europe; its walls will feature battle maps and other historical information that will help to understand the importance and historical significance of the events of those years on the Berezina River. In addition, the future memorial complex may include a number of other existing objects, including in Borisov. For example, these could be the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in the historical part of Borisov, built in 1912 for the 100th anniversary of the battle, as well as the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Bytcha. The creation of an international memorial complex based on the battle on the Berezina should become one of the priority areas for preparing celebratory events related to the 200th anniversary of the expulsion of the Napoleonic army from Belarus and the victorious conclusion of the Patriotic War of 1812, Grachev is confident. The international scientific and practical conference "Belarus in the Patriotic War of 1812," which is taking place on May 12-13, is attended by scientists and specialists from research centers of Belarus, Russia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and the Baltic states. The forum participants will analyze the events of the 1812 war and exchange views on a wide range of issues related to the historical significance, lessons, and geopolitical consequences of the 19th-century military conflict. The conference is organized by the Vitebsk Diocese of the Belarusian Exarchate, the Vitebsk Branch of the International Institute of Labor and Social Relations of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus with the support of the regional executive committee.-0-