70th anniversary of Mogilev’s heroic defence

A six-hour marathon in weight lifting will be held on September 25 at the stage of “Mogilev metallurgic plant”; it’s dedicated to Vitali Sitnikov’s attempt to set a new record. The repeated world record-holder from Mogilev will be lifting a 24-kg weight non-stop during six hours.

At the same time a special entertaining programme will be organized for the viewers: juggling with weights, tying of 200 mm nails, breaking down 1-cm-width bolts, etc.

On August 19-21 “Tekhnolog” base of Mogilev State University of Food Technologies hosts this year’s sports and athletics meeting of students and young people. It is dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Mogilev’s heroic defence and a birthday of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union.

“Teams formed by primary organizations of BRYU at enterprises, institutions, MID departments of Mogilev are enlisted. – Alexander Ivanenko told. – Teams must consist of minimum 6 participants above 18 years old.”

First virtual map of war events that took place 70 years ago was created by Mogilev’s scientists. The map makes it possible to follow the way of the German Army on the territory of Belarus in the summer of 1941.

The creation of the map is dedicated to the anniversary of Mogilev’s defense. It also includes documentary photos, archival films, and rare audio records. Planes and tanks of the map are exact models of those that witnessed war events of the past.

The map is being translated into English since it will be of great interest for foreigners.

Mogilev as well as the whole country celebrated the Independence Day. There were a number of festival grounds: 40 Let Pobedy Square, Sovetskaya Square, parks and streets of the city. Children, young people, adults congratulated each other on the occasion.

Mogilev is 744 years old, it is a nice clean city with population of over 350.000 people.

Today the students’ working group named after K.Simonov laid flowers to the memorial complex “Zemlyanka”. The group is represented by the students of Students of Mogilev State University of Food Technologies.

Here on July, 1 1941 the Headquarters of the West Front worked a plan of defense of the Deneprovsky line and Mogilev. The main goal was to create necessary conditions to regroup the Soviet army with help of the Red Army soldiers, home guards, militiamen.

The first stage of “Along War Roads” action has started from “zero kilometer” point in Mogilev. 30 active members of the BRYU, “Belaya Rus” organization and Mogilev citizens went by cars along the route of Mogilev’s defense line in July 1941: Mogilev – “Buinichi Field” Memorial Complex – Soltanovka village – Chechevichi village.

The action was initiated by the city committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union and supported by regional, city and district committees, and young people of Mogilev who gathered in the evening of June 29 in Lenin square.

Exhibition of documentary photography “Buinichi Field” has opened at Mogilev cinema theatre “Chyrvonaya Zorka”. One may see photos of different years there from 1941 to nowadays.

Black-and-white photos by war correspondent Pavel Troshkin showing burning German tanks (summer, 1941) have been taken from Mogilev Regional Local Lore Museum named after Romanov. Some rare photos of Konstantin Simonov during his visit to Mogilev 20 years after terrible events at Buinichi Field in 1941 have been presented by Mogilev citizens. Besides, exhibition includes black-and-white photos of modern days, as well as photos from archive of the historic-patriotic club “Vikkru”.

Multicoloured balls at Stars square, spotlights at Komsomolski park and the 40th anniversary of Victory park, as well as 120 light colours in Cheljuskintsev street. Mogilev is getting ready to celebrate the 70th anniversary of heroic defence of Mogilev and city birthday; in evenings the city already shins with illumination lights.

“Gorsvet” enterprise and Mogilev city executive committee spent Br150 mln for producing and installing of illumination lights. According to director of “Gorsvet” enterprise Alexander Pashkevich, this year’s illumination lights are much brighter and energy saving.

Different arrangements dedicated to Mogilev city birthday and the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus on July 3 will end with a 30-volley salute, - colonel Yury Yunusov, commanding officer of 188 guards engineering brigade, told.

500 charges of a new type will be shotted at 11 p.m.

Today the guard of honour has taken over the watch of memory near Eternal Fire in Sovetskaya square and at “Buinichi Field” Memorial Complex. This day was chosen because on June 28, 1944 Mogilev was liberated from German invaders as a result of “Bagration” operation.

 

Now we know the name of one brave defender of Mogilev. Mortal remains and pieces of personal belongings of the Red Army’s soldier from Chelyabinsk region Semion Fedorov were found at the forest near Kadino village of Mogilev district. Specialists also found Fedorov’s waist belt, pieces of cartridge pouch, a water bottle and a spool of thread.

During the last 25 years mortal remains of 38 soldiers have been found in this forest; only the names of 5 of them are known. In 1941 it was the place where the 110 rifle battalion and the 20 corps of the Red Army were encircled after the break-through of Mogilev defence. No one survived at that terrible battle.

Semion Fedorov will be reburied at Buinichi Field.

Mogilev is getting ready for festive and colourful celebrations of the City Birthday. In a month about 1000 of people will partake at theatrical performance dedicated to the 70th anniversary of battles in Buinichi Field of Mogilev. Pyrotechnics will be used and participants of the performance will wear uniform to imitate operations of the wartime. Being armed with weapons borrowed from “Belarusfilm”, they will play episodes of some battles.

Motorcycles of wartime (М 72 и BMW R 71) will be borrowed from “Esprit de corps” Belarusian War Club Association. Mogilev airclub named after Kulagin is also to partake in performance.

This year is marked by the 70th anniversary of Mogilev’s heroic defence from fascist invaders. At anniversary day battles simulation will take place in Buinichi Field. There will be memory watches at memorials and monuments of “Buinichi Field” Memorial Complex, Sovetskaya square, and Death camp in Shmidt avenue - the head of ideology department of city executive committee Alla Galushko specified. All 23 days (the city’s heroic defence lasted 23 days) will be full of events.

Representatives of different confessions will hold public prayers and services to commemorate the perished.