An updated exhibition dedicated to the genocide of the Belarusian people has been opened at the Vitebsk State College of Light Industry and Technology

The solemn opening of the updated exposition "Genocide of the Belarusian People during the Great Patriotic War" took place at the Vitebsk State College of Light Industry and Technology. The event was attended by representatives of local authorities, teachers, college students, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, as well as participants of the regional seminar for heads of military-patriotic education of secondary vocational education institutions.

The exposition is based on materials collected by the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office during the investigation of a criminal case on the fact of the genocide of the Belarusian people, initiated by the Prosecutor General's Office of Belarus.

The initiator of the exposition at the Vitebsk State College of Light Industry and Technology was the director of the educational institution, Elena Kuchinskaya. Thanks to the assistance of the regional Museum of the Hero of the Soviet Union Minay Shmyrev and the museum in the village of Zaronovo, Vitebsk region, the exposition was supplemented with new exhibits.

The head of the administration of the Oktyabrsky District of Vitebsk, Vladimir Beleevich, emphasized that it is important for representatives of local authorities and teachers to tell young people about the tragic events of the Great Patriotic War. He cited some significant historical facts.

- Today is a very important event, - noted the head of the Oktyabrsky district of Vitebsk. - We have always spoken about the fact that the war was difficult, we spoke about irreversible human and economic losses. But we never spoke about genocide. In the course of the investigation of the criminal case on the fact of the genocide of the Belarusian people, we will learn about the monstrous crimes that were committed on the territory of our republic. These were not isolated executions of prisoners of war and the abduction of innocent people into slavery. A system for the extermination of the Belarusian people was established. We talk little about who participated in the tragic events from the other side. For example, the infamous punitive operation "Winter Magic" was carried out by units of the Second Volunteer Latvian SS Corps, which fiercely resisted the Red Army. A little further (in the Pskov region) Estonian SS units operated. Yes, our opponents may tell us that there was also a Belarusian SS Corps. It was created in 1944, existed for 3 months, and was reinforced by a regular unit of the German army. It never participated in battles. And, in fact, it dispersed. Unlike the Latvian corps, which defended the Reichstag. Unfortunately, not all participants of those formations received due punishment and bore responsibility for their actions.

The exhibition presents unique historical documents containing information about the legendary partisan movement of the Vitebsk region, about Operation Bagration, within the framework of which Vitebsk was liberated. The exhibition also features portraits of people whose heroic past is connected with our city during the Great Patriotic War.

College students provided detailed information about them. In addition, the students shared stories about their ancestors who fought against the Nazis.
- My great-grandfathers served in the Red Army; they participated in the liberation of Vitebsk and Smolensk, said first-year student Alexandra Bozhanova. - My father told me about this. It is important that every family tells about the exploits of their ancestors and the lessons of the war, so that young people appreciate and cherish peace on their native land.

"VITEBSKY VESTI"