(Updated at 15:49)
LOGOISK DISTRICT, 22 March (BelTA) – The WW2 memorial complex Khatyn in Logoisk District, Minsk Oblast is particularly crowded today: Belarusians and guests of the country have joined the campaign “Come and bow”. It is dedicated to the 83rd anniversary of the terrible tragedy of the village that was burned down by the Nazis together with 149 residents to become a symbol of sorrow and the unconquered spirit of the nation, BelTA has learned.
The stream of visitors to the memorial, erected at the site of the village destroyed by the punitive forces, has not diminished over the years. Here gray-haired elderly people bow their heads, once again reading the names of the villagers who were burned alive in the fire, including names of 75 children, inscribed on the chimneys of the symbolic huts, and remembering those who left their families to go to war. The war changed the fates of millions of people, becoming a terrible episode in the history of every Belarusian family. In Khatyn those who have yet to stand in defense of peace receive their first lessons in courage. And this bond between generations, for whom historical memory is so important, must not be broken. Today, on the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Khatyn Tragedy thousands of people once again lay flowers while rallies are held in the farthest corners of Belarus at mass graves and monuments to the burned-down villages. At noon Belarusians were united by a minute of silence: a mournful metronome prompted everyone to reflect once more on the fragility of peace.
A wreath from Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko was the first one to be placed at the Eternal Flame.
Flowers and floral baskets were laid as a symbol of deep respect for the fallen residents of Khatyn and all victims of the war at the statue of the Unconquered Man, at the mass grave where the ashes of the burned villagers rest, and at the Eternal Flame, by high-ranking officials, heads of ministries and government agencies leading their delegations, by representatives of public associations and organizations, young people, school students, by defense, security, and law enforcement officers joined by members of military-patriotic clubs.
On this day many ordinary families from various parts of the country and abroad gathered in Khatyn. Many came with young children, to whom the older generation is teaching an important lesson in patriotism today. It seems that the stream of people wishing to connect with our shared memory is endless: people living in such a complicated world, filled with hotspots of armed conflicts, have come to especially appreciate the clear sky above their heads and through this unity they demonstrate their belonging to a peaceful nation.
The figures speak to the fact that the Khatyn memorial complex remains a place of worship and special reverence. In 2025 the memorial and its branches attracted more than 725,000 visitors, which is 119% more than in 2024. These visitors included not only citizens of Belarus but also people from neighboring countries and faraway ones. Last year the memorial’s staff conducted about 114,000 guided tours. One of the key areas for promoting the memorial’s work has been exhibitions, with 14 exhibition projects prepared and presented both on-site and through international cooperation between museums. At present the museum of the memorial complex is hosting the exhibition “Fate gifted the happiness to live…”, which features unique photos, documents, and personal belongings of surviving witnesses to the tragedy in Khatyn.
Today the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Khatyn is open all day: after laying flowers visitors to the complex can enter the church and light a candle in memory.
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