Experts from Belarus and Russia have begun developing common approaches to preserving historical memory

According to Elena Malysheva, head of the department and head of the National Center for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation, the key objective is to develop a common position on the most important milestones shaping historical consciousness. She noted that Russian and Belarusian societies are already united by shared understandings and values ​​in assessing historical events, as well as a unified academic and expert school. According to Malysheva, a shared understanding of historical memory, based on deep expert knowledge and historical truth, as well as the importance of intergenerational dialogue, are key to successful work.

Malysheva recalled that the creation of the Parliamentary Assembly Commission on the Preservation and Protection of Historical Memory was initiated by Belarusian and Russian Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin at the Union State International Forum "Great Heritage – Common Future" in 2025. The department's experts will submit proposals for the commission's work and provide scientific support. The department includes experts from academic institutions, the museum community, and public organizations involved in historical education. Participating on the Belarusian side are Academician-Secretary of the Department of Humanities and Arts of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Alexander Kovalenya, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus Denis Duk, Dean of the Faculty of History of Belarusian State University Alexander Kokhanovsky, and Deputy Head of the National Security Academy Gennady Krasko.

Among the priorities for the current year, Elena Malysheva highlighted the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. She emphasized that the topic of Nazi crimes and the memory of the victims of genocide is a unifying theme, and experts will make proposals for joint work to perpetuate the memory and preserve the truth about Nazi crimes during the war. Furthermore, the second Union State forum "Great Heritage – Common Future" is planned for Brest this year, during which a branch of the Scientific Advisory Council will be organized. Malysheva announced an open format for the events, involving young people, emphasizing that the preservation of historical memory in both countries is consciously pursued for the sake of the future and the continuity of generations.