News & Events in Belarus

LOGOISK DISTRICT, 22 March (BelTA) – The All-Belarusian Peace Prayer was held during the commemorative meeting at the Khatyn Memorial to mark the 75^th anniversary of the tragedy on 22 March, BelTA has learned.

Taking part in the prayer were the heads of all traditional confessions in Belarus, including Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Pavel, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

Addressing those present, Metropolitan Pavel stressed that the Belarusians are forgiving people but they will never forget.

Together with the heads of other denominations he wished Belarus to never again experience the terrors of war.

A commemorative meeting May Khatyn Bells Never Stop Tolling was held at the Khatyn memorial. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the head of state, government agencies, public and religious organizations, the diplomatic corps. Head of the Belarus President Administration Natalya Kochanova read out a message from the head of state to the countrymen on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the Khatyn tragedy.

Today marks 75 years since the Nazis destroyed the peaceful Belarusian village of 26 houses killing 149 people, including 75 children under 16, the youngest of whom was only 7 weeks old. The memorial created on the site of Khatyn has become a symbol of the countless victims, suffering and courage of the people of Belarus during the Great Patriotic War. Many other Belarusian villages shared the fate of Khatyn.

In the run-up to 22 March, Belarus held a series of events to mark this tragic date. These international socio-political events emphasized Belarus’ role in the preservation of the historical truth about the events of the Second World War and the country’s contribution to the efforts to prevent the resurgence of Nazism and preserve peace in the world.