Solemn events dedicated to the centenary of Andrei Andreevich Gromyko’s birth took place in Minsk

Solemn events dedicated to the centenary of an outstanding Soviet diplomat Andrei Andreevich Gromyko took place in Minsk. They included a theme exhibition of documents which was held at the History Centre of Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Belarusian diplomatic service, and was dedicated to A.Gromyko’s diplomatic activity. The opening of this exposition was attended by the children of the Soviet diplomat: his son Anatoli and daughter Emiliya. Moreover, among the official visitors were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov and the representatives of the Union State Standing Committee: Deputy State Secretary, member of the Standing Committee Sergey Shukhno as well as Head of Social Policy and Informational Support Department Irina Narkevich.

Solemn events dedicated to the centenary of an outstanding Soviet diplomat Andrei Andreevich Gromyko took place in Minsk. They included a theme exhibition of documents which was held at the History Centre of Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Belarusian diplomatic service, and was dedicated to A.Gromyko’s diplomatic activity. The opening of this exposition was attended by the children of the Soviet diplomat: his son Anatoli and daughter Emiliya. Moreover, among the official visitors were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov and the representatives of the Union State Standing Committee: Deputy State Secretary, member of the Standing Committee Sergey Shukhno as well as Head of Social Policy and Informational Support Department Irina Narkevich.

The exposition displayed the copies of the documents reflecting all the stages of A.Gromyko’s activity – from the Head of American Countries Department at People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs to the Chairman of the Presidium of USSR Supreme Soviet. The son of the Soviet diplomat Anatoli Gromyko highly appreciated the way the exhibition was organized as well as the material presented. “I believe that people live on until they are remembered. And it is very pleasant both for me and all my relatives to see that Belarusians do not just remember Andrei Andreevich Gromyko but honor his memory. It means that he will remain in people’s minds and hearts for years to come and may be forever. So, the exhibition is a really good one,” noted Anatoli Gromyko. At the end of his visit Anatoli Gromyko wrote some words of gratitude in the book of distinguished guests.

Besides that, Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a theoretical and practical conference dedicated to the centenary of Andrei Andreevich Gromyko. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov, Deputy State Secretary of the Union State Sergey Shukhno and the son of Andrei Gromyko Anatoli Gromyko made reports at the conference. Moreover, some scholarly papers elucidating the career of the outstanding Soviet diplomat were presented by the scientists: “The place of Belarus in Andrei Andreevich Gromyko’s life and activity” (dean of international relations department of Belarus State University, Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor V.Shadurski) and “A.Gromyko and the question of including union republics in the list of original member-countries of a future international organization” (Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor of Belarus State University V Snapkovski). When the reports were over, those present were shown a videofilm named “Andrei Gromyko. The giant that managed to survive”. The film was prepared by the Broadcasting Organization of the Union State.

The solemn events in Minsk were concluded by the opening of an exhibition presenting books and publications devoted to A.Gromyko. Besides Minsk the festivities in honor of the centenary were held in Gomel, Vetka and at A.Gromyko’s historical homeland – in the village Starye Gromyki in Vetka area.