The National Library of Belarus hosted the grand opening of the exhibition "Unforgettable: Plays and Films about the War" dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War on June 17.
The theme of war and life was deeply reinterpreted by directors, scriptwriters, actors, camera operators from the first days. By those who survived the war, who expressed, conveyed to us the whole truth, pain and tragedy of the people through theatre and cinema.
War movies and theatrical performances, filmed and directed by operators – participants of the war, the scripts based on the works of eyewitnesses, the roles played by frontline actors are for us a genuine example of the heroism and courage of that generation.
The exhibition features about 80 photographs and frames from the collections of the Russian State Library of Arts. The audience will find exclusive photographs and materials about legendary and beloved films and plays: “Two Soldiers”, “Wait for Me”, “The Ballad of a Soldier” as scripted by the Air Force Headquarters Commander V. Yezhov; “Come and See” based on the script of the partisan A. Adamovich; "The Sign of Trouble" based on the novel by V. Bykau, "I Will Take Your Pain" based on the novel by I. Shamiakin, the legendary performance by Y. Lyubimov "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" based on the story of the front-line soldier B. Vasiljev, staged at the Taganka Theater.
You can get acquainted with scripts for films, photographic documents, articles from periodicals, encyclopaedias, popular science literature from the collections of the National Library of Belarus in the war and post-war period.
Ms Aksana Knizhnikava, Director General of the National Library of Belarus, opened the event with a welcome speech.
“At one time, cinema played a very important role, depicting the heroic deed of the Soviet people on the big screen. Theatre and drama helped analyze the spirit of our people, which helped us win the war. The theme of war does not dry out in the work of modern directors and scriptwriters, who still believe that it is necessary to write about the Great Patriotic War, put on plays and make films. History fades if it is not part of the person's experience. And such arts as cinema and theatre make the most of our emotional component. "
Ms Svetlana Bolshakova, Specialist of the Cultural Programs Department of the Russian State Library of Arts, addressed the audience with a video message:
“Creating the exposition, we tried to focus on the most iconic performances and films of the time. I would like you, dear visitors, to pay attention to who is behind the creation of these films and performances, so that you can see the main strength of ordinary Soviet people, whose daily life and struggle were a real feat. "
Ms Ina Aleksnina, Head of the Theatre Department of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, and Mr Ihar Audziejeu, Associate Professor, Candidate of Art History and Head of the Museum of the History of Belarusian Cinema also attended the event.
Directors, camera operators, scriptwriters, actors, writers who went through the war, who knew about it first-hand, created films and performances, amazing in their authenticity and emotional tension ... Let the war remain in the past! And art will remind us of it.
Admission is by the library card or by the Social and Cultural Centre ticket.
The exhibition will be on show until August 19, 2021.
The end date is subject to change.
For more info: (+375 17) 368 37 37.
Public Relations Department
