Minsk, November 28, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited the Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War History.

The head of state was informed that the Museum was opened for visitors on October 22, 1944 in the liberated city of Minsk in the left intact building of the Trade Union House on Liberty Square. It was the first museum in the world of this theme. The Museum became one of the research centers about the Great Patriotic War.

There are 24 exhibition halls. The main sections of the exposition are: "The Battles in the Westerly Direction. 1941-1942" "German-Nazi Occupation in Belarus. 1941-1944.", "Minsk Anti-Nazi Underground Movement", "Partisan Movement in Belarus. 1941-1944.", "From Home to the Front", "The Turning Point in the Great Patriotic War. 1943.", "Bagration Operation", "War Actions of the Red Army. 1944-1945".

The collections of the Museum include weapons of soldiers and partisans, partisan hand-written journals, army editions and leaflets, government awards and personal belongings of the war participants, documents and photos, banners, etc. The Museum collaborates with the museums of Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Germany, etc.

The Museum also highlights valour of Azerbaijanis who contributed to the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders and their role in the victory over fascism. Azerbaijanis especially distinguished themselves during the defence of the Brest Fortress.

The Museum also provides information about bravery of Azerbaijanis who participated in the partisan movement in Belarus. Azerbaijanis Alakbar Aliyev and Mammad Mammadov showed a particular heroism in the partisan movement. The Museum also highlights bravery of Hero of the Soviet Union Najafgulu Rafiyev. There is a street named after him in Minsk.

President Ilham Aliyev viewed photos depicting national leader Heydar Aliyev`s visit to the Museum. National leader Heydar Aliyev visited the Museum in December of 1978 as head of an official delegation on the sidelines of the events marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party and Belarus USSR. The national leader signed the Museum`s guest book.

The photos depicting national leader Heydar Aliyev were presented to the head of state.

The names of eight heroic sons of Azerbaijan – heroes of the Soviet Union - were engraved with golden letters in the "Victory" hall of the Museum. They showed courage and heroism in liberation of Belarus from the occupation. Name of two-time Hero of the Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov is also among them. He was named an honorary citizen of the city of Smarhon. There is a monument to Hazi Aslanov in the city of Vileyka. There are streets named after him in both cities. Books on Hazi Aslanov are on display in the Museum.

President Ilham Aliyev signed the Museum`s guest book.

Then a picture was taken.