War Photographs on Exhibition at BelSU

The exhibition features a variety of collections, photo albums, encyclopaedic works, and other publications that include powerful images from the Great Patriotic War. Visitors can trace the history of the conflict, from the initial days of the fascist offensive to the moments when the Soviet Red Army liberated the country’s territories.

Among the highlights is the photo album “The Great Patriotic War” (1982), featuring text by V. S. Ryabov and V. I. Chuikov, a Marshal and twice Hero of the Soviet Union. This album captures a range of emotional moments: Soviet citizens listening to announcements of war, Nazis at ease in occupied territories, scenes of devastated cities, concentration camps, weeping children, and the horrors inflicted by fascists, including the siege of Leningrad. War photographers documented the bravery of Soviet soldiers storming cities, engaging in street battles, and the faces of heroes who liberated our homeland, as well as ordinary citizens working tirelessly on the labour fronts.

Through these photographs, we witness significant events such as the first artillery salute echoing in Moscow in honour of the liberators of Orel and Belgorod, alongside the enthusiastic greetings of soldiers by residents of Soviet cities.

Notable pieces in the exhibition include Irakli Toidze’s iconic poster “The Motherland Calls!”, which received the most prestigious Stalin Prize, and Max Alpert’s photograph “Kombat (Battalion Commander),” both featured in the encyclopaedia “The Great Patriotic War 1941-1945” (1985).

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to leaflets containing songs from “Songs of the War Years” (1985), which inspired countless individuals to fight for victory.

Additionally, the publication “Hero Cities of the Great Patriotic War” (1988) showcases photographs depicting the heroic efforts of underground fighters and partisans.

The book “G. K. Zhukov: Photo Album about the Outstanding Soviet Commander, Marshal Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov” (1970) includes a panoramic photograph titled "One of the First Battles to Defend the Motherland."

Another important exhibit item is the photograph documenting the signing of “The Act of Unconditional Surrender of German Armed Forces,” presented in G.A. Kumanev’s publication "1941 - 1945" (1982). This book includes documents, newspaper materials, memoir excerpts, and frontline chronicles that illustrate the daily feats of the Soviet people throughout the war.