BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/08/2006

Lukashenko destroying Belarus' historical architecture

The authorities of the city of Hrodna in Western Belarus have given this year another order to destroy the historical centre of this city.

Hrodna is 820 years old and is considered to be one of the most European cities in this country. The architecture of this city closely resembles Vilnius, which was built along similar lines. During World War II Hrodna suffered the least damage of Belarusian cities. However, according to Belarusian historians and enthusiasts of European architecture, the real war for Hrodna is just beginning.

This year Hrodna has already gone through reconstruction of the historical city centre - the Soviet Square, former Market Square. In defiance of the protests of the intelligentsia of Hrodna, the city authorities refused not to destroy the old town. Another stage of the so-called reconstruction of the city is to destroy the quarter called New World where constructivist-style buildings of historical value from the beginning of the 20th century are located.

A sports centre is to be constructed in place of the destroyed quarter; there will also be a road built there which would run through the city centre. The situation is complicated by the fact that the new road is to run by two castles, a synagogue and historical fire tower while the Hradnichanka River, which flows alongside, is to be directed into underground pipes.

A Belarusian historian, Andrej Vaszkievicz, tells of the origin and historical significance of the old Hrodna quarter.

This part of Hrodna which is called New World came into existence in the 1920's and 30's. Aristocracy mainly inhabited this quarter. Those houses became the pride of our city. But it is the constructivist-style buildings that are of the greatest value. This style used to be very common in Western Europe and also in Western Belarus. Such buildings, especially those in the style of the classical European constructivism, can be found very rarely in our country. And these houses built of wood are unique to the whole of Europe; one may only see them in Hrodna.

Many inhabitants of the city are convinced that the best solution to the problem would be to build the road according to a plan proposed by Hrodna historians; however, this possibility has been rejected due to the fact that the road would run past the houses of two local officials.

Anna Pawlowska, an active defender of the historical centre, of Hrodna talks about the plans of the local authorities.

The authorities did not reply to the appeals of historians, writers and scientists from all over Belarus. A Belarusian historian, Ales Smalanczuk, who comes from Hrodna, believes that people who accept such plans are strangers to the history of Hrodna. Belarus is an empty and meaningless word for them.

Hrodna is a unique city for which it was easier to survive the two World Wars than for other Belarusian cities. The Soviet authorities ruled here for 20 years less than in central Belarus, perhaps this is what saved Hrodna. It may not always be comfortable to live in these houses. But destruction and the building of a sports hall in this place is not the solution. These buildings could be let as offices, after all it is a city centre. What matters is the image of our city. Now they are destroying Hrodna in the same way as the Communists destroyed Minsk, Vitebsk and Brest during the Soviet period. Our city may simply disappear as a historical and cultural phenomenon. I have the impression that those people in the municipal council are strangers to Hrodna and to our Belarus.

Destroying the historical and cultural legacy of Belarusians, the city authorities continue the policy of the former authorities of the country, when demolishing monumental churches, monasteries, castles and palaces was deemed to be a step forward towards communism. The current authorities want Belarusians to disavow their history, because a nation without memory shall never threaten the authoritarian regime.

Source:

http://www.polskieradio.pl/polonia/article.asp?tId=40427&j=2