Exhibition to mark 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi invaders opens in Minsk

"This is a great event. The National Art Museum has unveiled its art collection devoted to the war and post-war years at the National Library of Belarus. The exhibition includes up to 30 works about the war. Many artists of the pre-war time made paintings relying on the reports or worked not as mere observer but as a participant in the events. The works by artists of the late 20th century are more of a philosophical reflection and comprehension of the war theme," Director General of the National Art Museum Anna Kononova said at the opening ceremony.

"The project is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. The word ‘commandment’ in the exhibition title can be viewed as an advice, a pledge, a message to the future generations," she added.

The exhibition "Belarus liberated: The commandment of 1944" showcases the iconic works from the holdings of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus. It is an opportunity to see the genre diversity of works on the war and the multiple ways of interpreting the war themes in fine art, to trace how the pictorial language changed from narrative in the works of the war and first post-war years to more complex, philosophical interpretations of the last decades of the 20th century.

The exhibition will run until 25 February.