A photo exhibition at the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus tagged “Armenia through the eyes of a Belarusian photographer and Belarus through the eyes of an Armenian photographer” has opened. It was organized by the Embassy of Armenia in Belarus. The exhibition was in collaboration with two news giants, BeITA and Armenpress.
The event, which is one of its kind, was scheduled to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between the Belarusian Republic and the Republic of Armenia. The timing of the event made it a historical moment in the enduring years of mutual diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The exhibition was designed to be a showpiece of photos. The photos in the exhibition were taken by two talented and renowned photographers from Belarus and Armenia. The Belarusian photographer Leonid Shcheglov and Armenian photographer Mkhitar Khachatryan took the shots when each of them visited their opposite countries long before the exhibition was planned.
It featured over ninety pictures showing the beautiful landscape, tradition, and culture—such as food and clothing—of the Belarusian and Armenian people. It also captured the essence of everyday life, architecture, and wildlife.
Speaking at the opening day of the exhibition, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Belarus Razmik Khumaryan expressed his satisfaction at seeing what was at first a dream become a reality.
“Today is my day, because my long-standing idea of this exhibition has come true,” He said.
Amb. Khumaryan took time to explain how he got the idea for the photo exhibition. According to him, his visit to beautiful landscapes and architectural masterpieces in Belarus in 2015 inspired him to think of organizing a photo exhibition that would display photos of iconic places in Belarus and Armenia, his home country. To achieve this, he thought of using a Belarusian photographer to showcase Armenia and an Armenian photographer to capture and display Belarus. The aim, he said, was to ensure that both countries were seen through the fresh eyes of both photographers.
He also spoke about the relations between the two countries, saying that they date back five centuries and “hope that future generations will celebrate the tercentenary of our relations as sovereign, independent, prosperous states”.
Amb. Khumaryan referenced the brown plague, which occurred in the 20th century, as the beginning of mutual cooperation between Belarus and Armenia. The Belarusian Liberation War, which engulfed the country, saw Armenians take up arms in defense of Belarus independence. By the end of the war, 10,000 Armenians were reported to have died fighting in support of the liberation of Belarus.
As part of his final statement, Amb. Khumaryan said that the strength of both countries will endure forever and will be built on a collective “relationship based on it in memory of those people who, shoulder to shoulder, created what we have now”.
The Director General of BeITA, one of the partners in the exhibition, Irina Akulovich, also spoke about the existing relations between the two countries. And how the two countries live with each other.
She said, “The place of strength for each of us is home. We have Belarus in our hearts, and you have Armenia in yours. Each of our countries has its own flavor, style, vibe, and vibration. Of course, it is interesting to see how first-comers to our country see it and what they will remember. The most important thing is that both photographers wanted to return, one to Belarus, the other to Armenia.”
To her, the photos on display signpost Belarus and Armenia as great places with great people. She also believed that the photos depict Armenians as hospitable and Belarusians as good-natured.
“I am sure that those who see these photos will love Belarus and Armenia,” She said.
The photo exhibition being held at the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus in Minsk is expected to deepen relations between the Belarusian Republic and the Republic of Armenia.
