The military history festival of the events of the World War I

"Unfinished Lesson: Forgotten Pages of Belarusian History"

April 24, 2021, 3pm – 6.30pm (rehearsal day)

April 25, 2021, 11am – 4pm

World War I is one of the most tragic and not so well-known historic events at the same time. This conflict changed the lives of millions of people, destroyed 4 empires, including the Russian one. We should remember that this is one of the bloodiest wars in the history of mankind. More than 1 million Belarusian people died, around 2 million people became refugees, thousands of villages were burn and destroyed.

On April 25, at the Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Lifestyle, we will recall the events of those difficult times during the military history festival of reconstruction of the events of the World War I. Except the museum, the organizer of this event is the cultural and historical fund in memory of the World War I "Kroki" with the support of the historical and cultural complex "Stalin's Line".

The main action of the festival is a battle between Imperial German and Imperial Russian army during the «Sventiany Offensive». On 9 September 1915, the Germans broke through the Russian defences and reached Minsk. Reconstruction will take place in a traditional Belarusian village of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, surrounded by original monuments of wooden architecture. You will see: soldiers in full military gear, cavalry, weapons, pyrotechnics and much more. We invite everyone to take part in the festival and attend an interactive lesson on the World War I history!

Festival Program (“Paazierje” region, 20-30 mins walking from the ticket office):

April 24, 2021, 3pm – 6.30pm (rehearsal day):

3pm – 5 pm – formation of locations and their exploring;

6pm – 6.30pm – fight rehearsal.

April 25, 2021, 11am – 4pm:

• Reconstructors of the World War I are people who recreate various parts of the Russian Imperial and German armies in full equipment in accordance with historical sources and entourage objects;
• Animation camp for museum guests:

- a field camp of the Russian army, which shows the life and drill of Russian soldiers;

- Red Cross Hospital - an interactive exhibition dedicated to the work of the sisters of mercy during World War I;

- bayonet fight - an interactive point where guests will be taught how to handle a bayonet using a model of “Mosin” rifle;

- grenadier platoon - grenadier courses where the audience will learn how to properly throw a grenade;

- shooting range - an interactive shooting range with models of weapons of World War I;

- cavalry courses, where guests will be taught how to handle a saber;

• Reconstruction of the battle of the World War I in 1915, «Sventiany Offensive»: the battle between German and Russian armies;
• Themed photo zone with a model of the legendary Maxim machine gun and entourage clothing;
• Exhibition of old photographs of the World War I;
• Excursion service in architectural monuments.

Ticket costs:

April 24, 2021 (rehearsal day):

• Adults - 10 rub.;
• College and university students - 4 rub.;
• Schoolchildren - 4 rub.;
• Pre-school children – free enter.

April 25, 2021:

• Adults - 15 rub.;
• College and university students - 6 rub.;
• Schoolchildren - 6 rub.;
• Pre-school children – free enter.

Attention! Pre-sale of tickets for April 25 is organized at:

-  the museum territory (near Ozertso village) from April, 21 to April, 23 from 11am to 6.30pm (Wed-Sun);

-  Smalenskaya st., 15, office 907 (“Praletarskaya” station) from April, 19 to April, 23 from 9am to 1pm (Mon-Fri) – cash only.

Pre-sale ticket costs:

• Adults - 13  rub.;
• College and university students - 4 rub.;
• Schoolchildren - 4 rub.;
• Pre-school children – free enter.

Exposition working time: 11am – 7pm. Ticket office: 11am – 6.30pm.

Dear guests!

• Please take care of clothes and shoes according to weather conditions.
• There is no ATM at the museum territory. Please take care of having cash money in case you want to buy souvenirs at the territory.

Tickets at souvenirs at the ticket office are sold for cash and cards.

• The Museum reserves the right to cancel or replace individual episodes of the event depending on weather conditions.