Brest Fortress film screened at UN Headquarters in New York

The joint Belarusian-Russian picture, released in 2010, has enjoyed its New York premiere, organised by the representations of Belarus and Russia, with support from the diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The screening was attended not only by the American public but by heads and employees of missions of UN member states, alongside representatives of the UN Secretariat. Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Andrei Dapkiunas, gave a welcome address, noting the importance of preserving the memory of victims and the heroic deeds of nations who defeated Fascism — to avoid any repetition of past mistakes or a repeated world tragedy. He stressed the necessity of doubling global community efforts to affirm unity, tolerance and solidarity as ruling principles of international relations.

The screening of films about the Great Patriotic War at the UN Headquarters has been one of many events conducted in New York, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2 — which predetermined the necessity of establishing the UN.

In early May 2015, a solemn session of the UN General Assembly is to take place, dedicated to all WW2 victims. This will feature a photo exhibition, coinciding with the anniversary of the Great Victory, prepared jointly by missions from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This will be preceded by a symbolic ceremony entitled Trees of Peace and Unity, planting saplings at the UN Headquarters. The event is being initiated by Belarus and supported by more than 40 countries, held under the aegis of the UN General Secretariat and the Chairman of the UN General Assembly. All representatives of UN member states are expected to attend.