The events began with a liturgy and a funeral service at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located on the memorial grounds.
From early morning, a public memorial service was held at the complex. People traveled to Khatyn, which has become a symbol of memory and grief, to pay their respects to their ancestors who perished but were not conquered.
The first to be laid at the Eternal Flame was a wreath from the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, symbolizing the grief of the entire country. Bouquets of roses and carnations were laid by representatives of the highest government bodies, ministries and agencies, public organizations, regional delegations, and young people.
More than 32,000 people visited Khatyn that day. Among the visitors were residents of Belarus, guests from Russia, and other countries. Everyone came to honor the memory of the victims and reflect on the fragility of peace on earth.
As part of the commemorative events, Dmitry Viltovsky, Director of SMC “Khatyn”, presented a new book about Khatyn to distinguished guests. It chronicles the centuries-long history of Belarus, the Khatyn tragedy, and the occupation during the Great Patriotic War. Among the honored guests who received the book were Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus; Konstantin Bychek, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus; Yuri Senko, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus; and Vadim Lakiza, Director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The new publication is a tribute to Artur Zelsky, former director of the memorial complex and the author of the concept for the museum on the memorial grounds.
On this day, members of the Republican Public Association "Patriots of Belarus" visited the Memorial Complex “Khatyn” as part of a motor rally. The motor rally participants joined thousands of people who came from across the country to pay their respects to those killed in this tragedy.
March 22 – This day has become an important symbol of remembrance, annually uniting representatives of different countries and generations. Khatyn Tragedy Remembrance Day reminds us of the need to preserve history and pass it on to future generations.
Belarus remembers and mourns.
