75 years of the tragedy that cannot be forgotten… A commemorative meeting and the All-Belarusian Peace Prayer in Khatyn

Today Belarus is marking the 75th anniversary of the appalling tragedy in the history of the Belarusian people, which is the destruction of Khatyn. It was not the first and only village in the endless list of losses of the most murderous war of the 20th century, but has become a true symbol of pain and grief. It has become the place where one can see, learn and feel what the human cruelty is capable of. It has become a memorial, where bells ring non-stop in the memory of all the villages that were burnt down and all the innocent victims of the war and the Nazis.

It took one day, 22 March 1943 for the Nazis to wipe the Belarusian village Khatyn off the face of the earth together with its old residents, women and children. A total of 149 people, including 75 children, were killed.

With its penetrating wind it looked as if the nature itself was recalling the heartbreaking events of that day. The lingering sound of the bells, floating over the silent memorial complex and hundreds of people bent near the Eternal Flame. They came from different corners of the country and abroad to pay tribute to the innocent victims of the Fascism on the Belarusian land. That is what 22 March 2018 looked like in Khatyn.

The campaign headlined as May Khatyn Bells Never Stop Tolling gathered hundreds to mark the 75th anniversary of the tragedy. The authorities, public and religious organizations, diplomats and all those present laid flowers and wreaths at the Eternal Flame and joined the All-Belarusian Peace Prayer. The prayer was held by the heads of the Orthodox, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish confessions.

Khatyn: 75 Years On Commemorative events in our photo story.