Opinions & Interviews

Russian PM moved by visit to Brest Fortress Memorial

BREST, 13 December (BelTA) - Every visit to the Brest Fortress leaves a long-lasting impression, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said during his visit to the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial on 13 December, BelTA has learned.

Brest is hosting a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Belarus-Russia Union State with the participation of Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Rumas and Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev. Prior to the event, the Belarusian and Russian delegations laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame in Brest Fortress and saw the exposition “The Museum of War – The Territory of Peace” and the panorama “Brest Fortress Chronicles” which is under development in the tower of the south-eastern barracks with the financial assistance of the Union State.

“Every visit to the Brest Fortress leaves a lasting impression. The immortal feat of the hero defenders will always stay in memory of the grateful descendants. I thank all those who help to keep this memory alive,” Dmitry Medvedev wrote in the Book of Distinguished Guests of the museum. The Russian PM also highlighted the importance of a new exhibition. “It successful combines historical facts, artifacts and modern visualization. I think that a visit to the museum will be interesting for everyone,” he said.

The Union State budget will provide more than RUB319.2 million for the restoration of the Brest Fortress in 2018-2020. The project includes 16 events related to repairs, conservation and museumification of the memorial complex. “Works are almost complete to set up a museum in the tower of the south-eastern barracks. The project is carried out by the two states. Belarus suggested a concept and a architectural solution. A company from St Petersburg is working on the unique three-dimensional historical panoramas of Brest. The exposition will provide an opportunity to shine spotlight not only on the most important episodes of the Brest Fortress history of the but also the personalities,” Deputy Director for Science of the Brest Fortress Memorial Larisa Bibik said.

Work on the project will be completed at the end of December. The exposition will be opened for visitors early next year. “The tower is unique. It is the only one of the four that has survived in its initial shape. We wanted to show it to people. Seven casemates on the first and second floors will be turned into exposition areas. Even the courtyard is a historic space,” Larisa Bibik explained.

The agenda of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State includes more than 20 issues. Following the meeting the parties are set to sign a number of documents, including a Belarus-Russia intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of visas.