Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex as a Site for Engaging Children and Young People in the Study of Belarusian Military History

On 21 December, the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus hosted a round-table discussion on commemorating wars and military conflicts. Alexander Alexandrovich Metla, Executive Director of the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex, addressed the meeting.

His address, which covered the following topics, is published below:

Key Issues in Understanding Military History
Visitor Statistics for Children and Young People, 2018–2021
Main Approaches to Engaging Children and Young People
Development of the Complex

At present, the information war over how military history is presented to children and young people in the Republic of Belarus has effectively been lost.

At the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex, we see the consequences of this defeat, and our staff constantly encounter distortions and misinterpretations of history. Through our work, we seek to prevent the feats of those who fought in the Great Patriotic War, the First World War and the war in Afghanistan from being forgotten.

The complex’s primary purpose is to promote the role of the defender of the Fatherland and service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, and to preserve the memory of our forebears’ feats in fulfilling their duty as soldiers.

1. Key Issues in Understanding Military History

Forgetting is the first step towards rewriting history
Problems in history education at school, secondary and higher education levels:
- — Insufficient time devoted to studying the Great Patriotic War
- — Lack of knowledge of key military events
- — Incorrect conclusions about the Second World War (the Great Patriotic War): its causes, captivity, collaborators, losses, weaponry, the leadership’s role in the Victory and the German forces’ aim of exterminating the population
- — Lack of knowledge about the heroes of the war
Problems concerning culture and attitudes towards the country’s history (the key stages of the Great Patriotic War have been forgotten, while the leadership’s role has been discredited):
- — At best, we remember Victory Day and Independence Day
- — What about the major battles, service branch commemorative days, honouring heroes and naming new streets after them?
Problems in the Information Environment
The Problem of Fragmented Efforts
The Problem of an Incorrect Approach to Organising Events

2. Visitor Statistics for Children and Young People, 2018–2021

*The estimate for visitors aged 18–34 is based on annual website viewing statistics:

Aged 18–34: 47.81% (48%)

Aged 35–44: 28.5%

Aged 45–54: 10.9%

Aged 55 and over: 7.98%

Other age groups: 4.87%

** Incomplete visitor year

3. Main Approaches to Engaging Children and Young People

Historical guided tours, with visits to the complex lasting up to four hours

Immersive historical activities: small-arms shooting, military vehicle rides and an interactive training battle at the Armoured Train display

The “Soldiers of Victory” Club preserves traditions of military uniform and equipment. Club members visit schools and attend events (Red Army small arms are of particular interest to schoolchildren).

Reconstruction of Weapons and Military Vehicles

— Restoration

— Building Replicas (for example, the T-50)

Targeted Activities for Young People and Children: Training and Corporate Events.

Children’s Recreation Facilities: Play Areas and Obstacle Courses.

Raising Awareness of the History of the Great Patriotic War — Countering Falsehoods and Distortions

The “Patriot” Children’s Camp, Organised Jointly with Loshany School.

The “Patriot” Competitive Race — Project Suspended Due to the Busy Event Schedule.

Development

Implementing the concept of living history through reenactments and military-style shows in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, State Border Committee and Ministry of Internal Affairs. To this end, the Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex is improving and expanding its facilities and resources, including displays of operational military vehicles, artillery and small arms; the reenactment field; the park; the battle-effects team; workshops; the restoration department; the complex maintenance department; and the guided tours office.
Events: Reenactments and Military Shows, a Ready for Labour and Defence (GTO) Activity Area and Military Vehicle Rides
1. New Military Vehicle Projects: T-26, Mountain Katyusha, StuG III, Hetzer and Sd.Kfz. 231
2. Airfield
3. Museum of Fortified Regions, Armoured Trains and the Afghan War — on the Ground Floor of the Building
4. Training Classes: Small Arms, Armoured Warfare and Aviation
5. Extending the Operational Armoured Train to the Main Reenactment Field — 1 km of Railway Track

Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex as a Site for Engaging Children and Young People in the Study of Belarusian Military History

1. Key Issues in Understanding Military History

2. Visitor Statistics for Children and Young People, 2018–2021

3. Main Approaches to Engaging Children and Young People

— Great Patriotic War events — 10–12 times a year

— War in Afghanistan events — 4–5 times a year

— First World War events — 1–2 times a year

— T-72 competitive runs — 1–2 times a year

— BMP-1 competitive runs — 1–2 times a year

Development