The Great Patriotic War in Fiction

On May 9, our country celebrates a landmark holiday – Victory Day. A book exhibition "The Great Patriotic War in Fiction", organized together with the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus is timed to this event.

Belarus has experienced many devastating wars. The Great Patriotic War became especially painful.

Apt, uplifting, inspiring word of writers and poets played a great role in the accuracy of the description of the events of the war years. It was them, the direct participants of the battles, who brought the history of human destinies to the modern generation. The writers of the wartime truthfully described the atmosphere of the front, the partisan movement, and the difficulties of camp life and life in the rear, strong soldier's friendship, real heroism in their works.

The book exhibition presents editions and archival materials of the war and post-war times, created by authors – participants of the war. Among them are the works of front-line writers in the genres of prose as stories, pamphlets, stories, novels, and journalistic articles.

Patriotism, dedication in the fight against the enemy, the wit of the heroes in critical situations are shown in the works of Ales Adamovich, Vasil Bykau, Janka Bryl, Kuzma Chorny, Mikhas Lynkou, Ivan Shamiakin, Ivan Melezh and others.

The most popular and favourite genre during the Great Patriotic War was poetry, born in dugouts, trenches, during breaks between battles. This period saw the height of the talent of such famous poets as Jakub Kolas, Kandrat Krapiva, Arkadz Kuliashou, Piatrus Brouka, Piatro Glebka, Maksim Tank, Pimen Panchanka, Mikola Surnachau, Anatol Astrejka, Anton Bialevich, etc.

Literary and artistic life in partisan zones, mass poetry of partisans and underground fighters are reflected in archival documents of the 1940s.

The prose and poetic heritage of the participants in the Great Patriotic War remains a living memory of the heroism of the people today. Unique works of fiction reflected the immortal feat of the defenders of the Motherland. The creative heritage of the wartime authors rightfully constitutes the golden fund of national and world literature.

The exhibition, located in the circular corridor of the 2nd floor, is open from May 5 to June 22.
The end date is subject to change.

The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by the library card or by the Social and Cultural Centre ticket.

The books presented at the exhibition can be ordered through the electronic catalogue of the National Library of Belarus.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 29 80.

Gallery and Exhibition Department