The history of Belarusian cinematography begins on December 17, 1924, when the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR signed a resolution "On film production in Belarus". According to this document, the Belarusian State Administration for Cinematography and Photography - "Belgoskino" was created. Over a hundred years, domestic cinema has come a long way - from the first chronicles and silent films to modern feature, documentary and animated films reflecting the historical, military, social and cultural aspects of our country's life.
The museum tour was conducted by Olga Ivanova, a research associate. Thanks to her enthusiastic story, the employees of the complex learned many interesting facts about the formation and development of Belarusian cinema. The participants of the tour got acquainted with unique exhibits: original sketches for films, rare shots from film sets, movie posters, movie cameras, as well as a video editing table used until the 1990s. The employees were shown how this mechanism works and told in detail about the complex and creative profession of an editor.
A distinctive feature of the museum is not only its rich exhibition, but also the presence of a cinema hall and a cinematheque - a collection of Belarusian films. It was here that the employees of memorial complex “Khatyn” watched the film "Demonstrator" - the first part of a film trilogy prepared for the 100th anniversary of Belarusian cinema. The film tells about the birth of national cinema in the first decades of the 20th century and the difficult but inspiring steps on the path to its formation.
The history of the museum building was of particular interest. Built at the end of the 19th century, it has had many owners, from private individuals to various government agencies. There are even rumors that a ghost lives within the ancient walls, another reason to visit this atmospheric place.
The visit to the museum was not only an opportunity for the staff of memorial complex “Khatyn” to expand their professional knowledge, but also to gain inspiration from the country's rich cultural heritage. Such meetings facilitate the exchange of experience and strengthen the connection between various institutions working in the field of preserving historical memory.
