Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 10 July (BelTA) – The photo exhibition Moments of the Century arranged by BelTA reflects the living history of Belarus. Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev made the statement during the exhibition’s opening ceremony on 10 July, BelTA has learned.

The exhibition was opened in the Vitebsk Concert Hall within the framework of the international art festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. The Vitebsk Oblast governor said: “The photos on display reflect the living history of our country from 1918 through 2018. The exhibition is definitely important: our generation needs to see it as well as those, who come after us – the younger generation and the future one.”

Nikolai Sherstnev spoke about BelTA’s reporters. “What makes these people different? Response time is the first thing that comes to mind: any news is delivered very quickly. Integrity. In addition to delivering news promptly one should do so in an honest and professional manner. BelTA employees have these qualities. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with professionals,” said the Vitebsk Oblast governor.

The head of the Vitebsk Oblast administration congratulated BelTA on the anniversary and presented a letter of thanks to BelTA Director General Irina Akulovich for the considerable contribution to the coverage of social, economic, and political life in Vitebsk Oblast.

According to Irina Akulovich, the photo exhibition primarily focuses on the life of ordinary people: doctors, teachers, construction workers. “Those are the people, who write the history of Belarus with their hands. I wish you strong health and good mood because we have to continue writing this history,” said the BelTA director general.

Irina Akulovich also remarked that BelTA’s archives contain about 400,000 photos, including about 40,000 photos stored in films without digital copies. “These are the photos one can be extremely interested in getting familiar with, seeing emotions and feelings of the people. This week another substantial batch of photos will be added to BelTA’s archives since there will be a lot of work during Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk,” she said.

The photo exhibition Moments of the Century started touring Belarus on 19 June. The exhibition holds up a mirror to life and reflects the main milestones in Belarus’ history from 1918 up till now. The pictures cover various events. When combined, they produce a surprisingly vivid and expressive portrait of Belarus and its residents over the past 100 years. The exhibition covers the fate of the country during World War Two, the post-restoration from the ashes, events of international importance such as visits of the Cuban leader Fidel Castro and U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. Visitors can see major sport and cultural facilities and industrial sites. And, certainly, Belarusians themselves steal the spotlight: prominent individuals and ordinary people, hard-working professionals and genuine artisans.

In every city the exhibition visits the collection is adjusted to feature unique archive shots from the history of the region. In Vitebsk the archive shots include 26 photo stands with over 50 photos, which cover interesting episodes of the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk art festival of different years. Visitors can see their favorite singers in new ways since many of the stars are pictured not only on stage but in informal surroundings.

The photo exhibition Moments of the Century (Imgnenni stagoddzya) has already been held in Brest and Minsk. It will be held in all the oblast capital before the year ends.