People who help others
The Pro100 Help exhibition – held at the Vitebsk City Hall – is dedicated to the Red Cross Society activities from the 19th century until modern times
On September 6th, the Belarusian Red Cross Society will celebrate its centenary and the show will enable its visitors to learn more of the organisation’s activity on the territory of the Vitebsk Region and the whole Belarusian territory since 1867.
The presented exhibits feature the examples of true humanism, mercy and selflessness of the Belarusian Red Cross Society’s staff. In different times, these people helped others and – thanks to the nurses’ efforts – thousands of lives were saved during the Russian-Japanese war, WWI, the Great Patriotic and civil wars, as well as the post-war years of devastation.
A separate place in the exhibition is devoted to the history of the Vitebsk community of sisters of mercy. It was established in 1876 and functioned for more than two decades. The sisters of mercy served not only in the community institutions, but also helped in the fight against epidemics and assisted in civilian and military hospitals. For their selflessness, fearlessness and courage, Vitebsk’s nurses were often awarded. For example, Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko – a participant of the Great Patriotic War and a Soviet Union Hero – became the third Soviet nurse and the first in Belarus to be recognised with the highest award for nurses and brothers around the world: the Florence Nightingale Medal.
In 1964, a medical and social service of the Belarusian Red Cross Society was founded and its employees still care for lonely elderly and seriously ill people.
In addition, the Pro100 Help exhibition showcases many unique archival exhibits – such as photos, documents, postcards, pharmacy utensils, awards, stamps, posters, propaganda and educational literature, and many more. These have been provided by the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, Vitebsk’s branch of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, the National Library of Belarus, the Vitebsk Regional Library, the Russian State Library, the State Archive of the Vitebsk Region, the National Historical Archive of Belarus, the Polotsk National-Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve.
As the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentiev, noted, this institution of humanism is still much-needed. Epochs revolve but the Red Cross Society and its empathic employees never stop to help those in need.
