Russia first: Belarus Culture Ministry ready to use name 'Stalingrad' on monuments
The Ministry of Culture of Belarus does not mind renaming the Russian city of Volgograd to Stalingrad, Ihar Charnyauski, Head of the Department for Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage, told pro-Kremlin news agency sputnik.by.
But this can only happen after a corresponding decision of Russia, the official stressed.
“If the Russian Federation makes [such] decisions, the Republic of Belarus will adjust the data reflecting the realities of our time”, said Charnyavski.
According to him, the Ministry of Culture has twice prepared responses to citizens’ requests to change the inscriptions on the memorial plaque at the monument of Victory in Minsk [and use the word ‘Stalingrad – Belsat’]. “Today, according to the documents, there is the Hero City of Volgograd. And it is so not because someone wants it or not,” Charnyavski stressed.
In February 2015, the Russian State Duma rejected a draft resolution introduced by the Communist Party. Its members were eager to rename Volgograd to Stalingrad. They also asked to name one of the squares of Moscow in honor of ‘the ruler of the nations’ Josef Stalin.
