Formation of monument protection activities in Soviet Belarus in the years of «thaw» (1953–1968)

Abstract

The author analyses the change in state policy, as well as the revival of public initiative in the field of protection of cultural monuments, as a result of the liberalisation of social and political life in Soviet Belarus during the «thaw». Public speeches of cultural figures, scientists, teachers, journalists served as an impetus for the actions of republican and local state bodies, who decided the fate of national heritage objects. The state officials and society representatives efforts undertaken during the period under review resulted with the creation of the Belarusian voluntary society for the protection of historical and cultural monuments (1966), the State inspectorate for the protection of historical, artistic, architectural and archaeological monuments (1967), as well as with the adoption of «On the protection of cultural monuments» law (1969).

Author Biography

Alexander A. Huzhalouski, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

doctor of science (history), full professor; professor at the department of ethnology, museology and history of art, faculty of history

References

  1. Katser MS. Belorusskaya arkhitektura. Istoricheskii ocherk [Belarusian architechture. Historical study]. Minsk: Gosudarstvennoe izdatel’stvo BSSR; 1956. 120 p. Russian.
  2. Zagorul’skii EM. Drevnii Minsk [Old Minsk]. Minsk: Gosudarstvennoe izdatel’stvo BSSR; 1963. 117 p. Russian.
  3. Elentukh I, compiler. Po dorogam vremeni. Fotoal’bom [On the roads of time. Photoalbum]. Minsk: Belarus’; 1966. 71 p. (Istoricheskie pamyatniki Belorussii). Russian.
  4. Chanturia VA. Arhitektura Belorussii konca XVIII – nachala XIX veka [Architechture of Belarus. End of the 18th – the beginning of the 19th century]. Minsk: Izdatel’stvo Ministerstva vysshego, srednego, spetsyal’nogo i professional’nogo obrazovania BSSR; 1962. 167 p. Russian
Published
2021-08-10
Keywords: cultural heritage, protection of monuments, state policy, public initiative, restoration
How to Cite
Huzhalouski A. A. Formation of monument protection activities in Soviet Belarus in the years of «thaw» (1953–1968) // Journal of the Belarusian State University. History. 2021. 3. PP. 86-96.