The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Zimbabwe commemorated the Day of National Memory of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People, marking the 85th Anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War on 22 June 1941.The solemn ceremony, held at the Embassy of Belarus in Harare, brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, military and defence attachés, representatives of academic institutions, business leaders and members of the local community to honour the memory of millions who perished during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
The event was hosted by His Excellency Yury Nikalaichyk, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Zimbabwe, who reflected on the immense sacrifices endured by the Belarusian people during the Second World War. In his address, Ambassador Nikalaichyk recalled that Belarus suffered devastating losses during the Nazi occupation, with more than three million people killed and hundreds of cities, towns and villages destroyed. He noted that the tragedy remains deeply embedded in the national consciousness of Belarus and continues to shape the country’s unwavering commitment to peace, sovereignty, dialogue, international cooperation and opposition to all forms of aggression, extremism and the rehabilitation of Nazism.
The Ambassador emphasized that the Great Patriotic War was not only a military conflict but also a deliberate campaign of destruction and genocide that inflicted immeasurable suffering on the Belarusian people. He stressed the importance of preserving historical memory and ensuring that future generations understand the devastating consequences of war, hatred and intolerance.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sergei Berdnikov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Zimbabwe and Guest of Honour; His Excellency Radiša Grujić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Zimbabwe; Mr Salim Siam, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the State of Palestine; Councillor Jacob Mafume, Mayor of the City of Harare and Mr. V. A. Chikanda, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy (ZID).
Also in attendance were Military and Defence Attachés from the Embassies of the Russian Federation, Embassy of the United States of America, Belarus, the People’s Republic of China, Türkiye, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of Zambia; together with representatives of diplomatic missions, government institutions, business organizations, academic bodies and members of the local and international communities resident in Zimbabwe.
In his remarks as Guest of Honour, Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov underscored the enduring significance of preserving historical memory and honouring the sacrifices made by those who fought against fascism during the Second World War. He noted that remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the value of peace, unity, sovereignty and mutual respect among nations. He further stressed that the lessons of history must continue to guide humanity in addressing contemporary global challenges through dialogue, cooperation and peaceful coexistence rather than confrontation and division.
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims and heroes of the Great Patriotic War. The plaque stands as a lasting tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and serves as a symbol of the enduring commitment of Belarus and its partners to preserving historical memory for future generations.
The commemoration provided an opportunity not only to honour the victims of war and genocide but also to reflect on the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, understanding and international cooperation in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. It reaffirmed the shared responsibility of nations and peoples to safeguard peace and ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated.
As the world continues to confront new security, political and humanitarian challenges, the event served as a poignant reminder that the preservation of peace remains one of humanity’s most important collective responsibilities.
Lest We Forget.
