Lukashenko: Maximum public access to Modern Belarusian Statehood Museum, Presidential Library

MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – The general public should have maximum access to the Modern Belarusian Statehood Museum and Presidential Library, head of state Alexander Lukashenko said while visiting these institutions that are located in a building adjacent to the presidential administration of Belarus. The head of state got acquainted with the exposition of the museum, with the work of the Presidential Library, and visited the museum depository, and rare editions department. Alexander Lukashenko, in fact, gave a tour of the museum. He recounted the main periods of the development of the national agriculture, industry remembering the biggest moments of those years. The Modern Belarusian Statehood Museum was created as a branch of the National History Museum of Belarus. It is intended to become one of the centers for collection, study and presentation of materials on the contemporary history of Belarus. The main leitmotiv of the expositions are achievements of the country during the years of independence, international recognition of national identity of the Belarusian people and the sovereignty of the Belarusian State. The museum is unmatched in Eastern European countries. The museum makes an extensive use of multimedia technology: touch screen kiosks, “smart light” system, e-guest book. The exposition is located in several halls and is dedicated to the modern history of Belarus from 1994 to the present day. The museum narrates about the formation of the presidential state, constitutional reforms, the national symbols, government bodies. The museum displays the first presidential decrees, samples of state awards, prizes from the largest theater and music festivals, achievements in industry, agriculture, science, education, culture and sports. The President of Belarus stressed that the museum should be open to everyone. “This museum is not for me. I can tell a lot about our modern history. The museum is for those who knows nothing about our history,” the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko also paid a visit to the Presidential Library of the Republic of Belarus. At present the library caters for government officials, MPs and the general public. The collections of the library are estimated at 1.4 million items. About 78,000 people visit the library every year. The collections of the library are kept in four buildings in different parts of the city. Alexander Lukashenko instructed to bring all the collections together and place them in the building at 38 Karl Marx Street. The head of state ordered to revise the number of staff and the collections of the library. “The Presidential library has its specifics. It should not be a branch of the National Library or its mini-copy. Therefore, its collections should be well-considered. People should come here for the things they cannot find anywhere else,” Alexander Lukashenko believes. The new building of the library has 24 rooms. Thirteen of them house the chief record center that covers almost 2,500 square meters. The reference room of the library provides an access to the electronic catalogue and 10 thematic online databases. The Presidential Library pays a special attention to preserving printed documents; it does bookbinding and restoration works. The library has a special room with the necessary equipment.

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