Museum of contemporary history of Belarus starts from… 1994!
The museum's employees stood for 1990, but "other opinions" won in the end...
It is quite easy to get to the Museum of contemporary history - you should apply to the National Historical Museum, then the application is checked by the President's security services and then they give their permit or decline the application. The entrance with a tour costs Br 35 000.
There is another checking right at the entrance - they check passports, personal belongings and ask a visitor to come through an electronic gate.
The Museum's head administrator Syarhei Byaspanski cordially meets us and apologizes for some inconveniences connected with the visit.
The museum occupies 5 rooms - each of them illustrates one stage of historical development of Belarus starting from...1994.
"We were thinking of which year to start - 1990 or 1994. The museum's employees stood for 1990, but other opinions won in the end...", - says an employee of the Museum.
Besides, two documents dated 1990 and 1991 are still among the exhibits.
The booths present almost full pre-electoral program of the President, the one in which he promises to "lead the people away from the abyss", a CEC protocol, leaflets of one (!) candidate, first presidential decrees.
They also found space for the model of a non-existent NPP.
Surprisingly enough, there are documents bearing the "Chaser" coat-of-arms, for example, the Decree on changing the state symbols. The guide turns our attention to the Constitution but when we asked where was the initial copy of the year 1994 with no changes and additions, he modestly said:
"Of course we have it in the funds but here the one which we use now is presented".
Another peculiarity of the Museum is that there is a whole room full of the President's gifts.
The director of the Museum says that the exhibitions will be updated.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka's passport is also among the exhibits.
