Authors

Discussion

Today, two versions of historical memory coexist in Belarus. One of them focuses on the events of 20th century, primarily the Second World War. Another version appeals to 550-year history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), which resounded in new way in sovereign Belarus. Anniversaries are a form of historical memory correction and forming identity. The year 2023 is rich in round dates for events that occurred 400–800 years ago. 1). Anniversaries of cities from their first mention in annals: 800th anniversary of Niasvizh (1223), 700th of Vilnius and Lida (1323), 600th of Ivanov (1423), 500th of Petrikov (1523). 2). Anniversary dates from the history of statehood: 555 years of the first law collection of GDL (1468); 250 years ago Belarusian nobleman Tadeusz Rejtan defended GDL and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at Sejm of 1773. 3). Significant date from history of culture – 500 years ago (1523) famous poem “Song about the Bison” by Mykola Gusovsky was published. 4). 400th anniversary of sad religious event – church hierarch, saint Yazafat Kuntsevich was killed in Vitebsk (1623). The memory is kept of what by our contemporaries is demanded. The speech is dedicated to these anniversaries in context of Belarusian historical politics.