Artur Zelsky was born on February 5, 1969 in Minsk. He graduated from the history school of Belarusian State University (1995). He worked as a teacher of lyceum classes, head of the history museum of the Belarusian State University. Employee of the central archive of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
The author of more than 150 scientific articles and monographs (including “The History of the Belarusian State University in the Biographies of Its Rectors”, 2001; “The First Pontic (Mithridates) War”, 2004; “The Shield and Sword of the Motherland”, 2006 (co-authored); “Felix Dzerzhinsky: Knight of the Revolution”, 2007; “Memory Knocks on the Heart”, 2010; “Khatyn. Shrine of National Memory”, 2011; “Khatyn. Tragedy of the Belarusian People”, 2018; “Minsk Enchanted: Tales, Falls and Legends”, 2022.
He was awarded Francysk Skaryna Medal, received the Gratitude of the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, had Honorary Certificates of the management of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk Regional Executive Committee, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. He was awarded the Certificate of the CIS Executive Committee for his significant personal contribution to the development of humanitarian cooperation between the CIS member states and the preservation of the historical memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War.
He took part in the creation of the Museum of the History of Belarusian State University (1996), the historical demonstration center of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (2007), and the museum of the military counterintelligence department of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (2010).
Since 2010, Artur Zelsky headed the State Memorial Complex "Khatyn". Over the years, a lot of work has been done to preserve the memorial complex as a historical monument: Khatyn Church was recreated, the Worship Cross was installed, a large-scale reconstruction of the memorial ensemble was carried out, a new museum was built, which perpetuated the memory of the tragic pages of history and gave the modern generation the opportunity to touch the past. The author of the idea and concept of the museum was Artur Zelsky. Under his charge, scientific research and cultural and educational work aimed at preserving historical memory was carried out here.
Artur Zelsky was a man with a big heart, always ready to share his experience, give advice and support in difficult times. His colleagues, students and friends always noted his sincerity and wisdom. The memory of Artur Zelsky will remain in the hearts of all who knew and appreciated him. His passing is an irreparable loss for all who worked with him.
We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Artur Zelsky. Let his memory live in his books, in our hearts.
