Александр Лукашенко и Марат Марков 18 апреля 2026 года. Фото: president.gov.by
Aliaksandr Lukashenka, during a nationwide субботник (voluntary community work day), worked at the construction site of the National Historical Museum and the People’s Unity Park in Minsk.
Minsk City Executive Committee Chairman Uladzimir Kukhareu reported on the progress of construction, while newly appointed Culture Minister Marat Markau spoke about the development of the exhibitions. Lukashenka instructed that domestic materials be used: “Everything must be made from our own materials, as the Chinese do. We can make everything.”
According to Markau, the future museum will be the largest in Belarus — its total area will reach 17,000 square meters, with no equivalent either in modern Belarus or during the Soviet period. The permanent exhibition will occupy more than 15,000 square meters, while another 2,000 will be allocated for temporary exhibitions.
“Any events can be held there, starting from conferences, scientific events, exhibitions, temporary exhibitions. And this is very convenient, because it will be the largest and most functional space in all of Belarus. In general, the total area of 17,000 square meters — there has never been anything like it in Belarus, nor in the BSSR. It can only be compared with national museums in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. But in Belarus it will be somewhat larger,” he said.
The exhibition will be spread across four floors and will cover the entire history of the country. In total, the museum will have 12 halls. The second floor will be dedicated to the ancient period up to the 18th century. The third floor will host exhibitions on Belarus as part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet period. The fourth floor will focus on modern Belarus.
“The first zone предполагает древний период. The second floor, essentially up to the 18th century, then on the third — everything starting from the Battle of Grunwald, more than 500 various compositions, dioramas, corresponding drawings, and more than 20,000 exhibits, which is quite unique,” Markau said.
“But do we also reflect the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland there?” Lukashenka уточнил.
“Yes, including the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. History — you cannot escape it. As you once said, well, there was no Belarus, that is how it was,” his interlocutor replied.
“That is how it was, there is no getting away from it,” Lukashenka noted.
“Now it exists, and there is no getting away from that either,” Markau continued.
A ceremonial hall of about 700 square meters with LED screens has been выделен separately.
“It will indeed be designed in very appealing tones. Here, where the Belarusian coat of arms is, LED screens will be placed, and the images on them can be constantly changed. In general, each hall has its own emblem. There will be 12 of them — according to the number of halls — and they will also be presented in the ceremonial hall. In fact, there has never been such a unique project in Belarus,” he added.
Lukashenka proposed reconsidering the name of the institution — whether it will remain the National Historical Museum or be renamed the National Museum — and advised to do everything “optimally.”
“Because, first of all, a miser pays twice — this must be understood. It should be done properly once to avoid any criticism. There are many ‘smart’ people — they should try to do it themselves,” he said.
“Therefore, we will pay special attention to carefully verified information, so that all historical elements are accurate and correspond both to the period and to real history. Because one mistake — as you rightly said — can spoil the impression of the entire work,” Markau responded.