Press releases

Partisan Chronicles: May Day Celebrations in the Enemy’s Rear

MINSK, 30 April (BelTA) - 1 May was celebrated across the country in the wartime 1940s. The holiday was widely marked by both partisans and civilians. Villages and forest camps held assemblies and meetings on that day, announced socialist competitions. Peasants pledged to help partisans in the fight against the invaders.

In 1944 all partisan editions marked that date. “Partisan Chronicles: May Day Celebrations in the Enemy’s Rear” is a new page of the joint project of BelTA and the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War History.

The project is based on a unique collection of handwritten partisan journals provided by the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War History. The collection was assigned the status of historical and cultural value of international importance (Class 1).

Every week BelTA brings these chronicles to light and posts their digital copies. Each of them sheds light on various aspects of partisans’ life, gives a glimpse into thoughts and feelings of people who risked their lives to fight a battle behind enemy lines.

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