Independence Square, Minsk

Independence Square (Belarusian: Плошча Незалежнасці, Russian: Площадь независимости) is a square in Minsk, Belarus. It is one of the landmarks on Independence Avenue. The Supreme Soviet of Belarus and Minsk City Hall are on this square. During the period of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic it was called Lenin Square. It is currently one of the biggest squares in Europe.[1]

Independence Square
Plošča Niezaliežnasci
Independence Square
Native nameПлошча Незалежнасці
Former name(s)Lenin Square
TypeSquare
Maintained byMinsk Mayor’s Office
Area7 hectares (70,000 m2)[1]
LocationIndependence Avenue, Minsk
Nearest metro stationMinsk Metro
Construction
Construction start1964
Completion2002
Other
DesignerIosif Langbard
Known forMultiple ceremonial events and hosting the seat of government.

History
German Troops marching through Independence Square 1941.

The square was designed by Iosif Langbard and was created for conducting rallies and to serve as Minsk's main ceremonial venue during the Soviet times. During World War II most buildings that were on the square were destroyed by the Nazis. From 1946 to 1984 October Square replaced Lenin Square as the city's main venue. A project for the reconstruction of Independence Square was launched after the fall of the USSR. The first stage was completed in 2002. The transportation scheme of the area was then changed. Two more pedestrian underpasses were constructed and in the future they are to make part of the Underground Trade Centre.

Several parking lots are to be built adjacent to the square. An underground shopping mall is also being constructed near the square.

Events

Parades

In the Soviet era, military parades in honor of International Workers' Day (1 May) (until 1969), Victory Day (9 May), and October Revolution Day (7 November) took place on the square since it was used as the city's general parade venue until 1984. The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Belarus and members of the politburo would get on top of a grandstand in front of a statue of Lenin. These types of parades would go on until 1989. The first parade of the independent Republic of Belarus was on Independence Square in 1995, in honor of golden jubilee of the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender.

Demonstrations

In the Soviet era, many pro-Communist rallies took place. A rally took place in honor of the 100th birthday of Vladimir Lenin took place on the square on 22 April 1970.[2] Rallies in honor of Minsk's 900th anniversary also took place in 1967.

2020 protests
See also: 2020 Belarusian protests

During the 2020 Belarusian protests, the square was an area where many rallies occurred. President Lukashenko addressed supporters of him on the square hours before tens of thousands of opposition protesters began gathering in the same area. Lukashenko told his supporters "to defend your country and its independence".[3] Lukashenko's son Nikolai was compared to a bodyguard due to him wearing a jacket, white shirt and sunglasses.[4] During the protests, many shouted and chanted "Leave!", referring to demands for Lukashenko's resignation.[5]

On 9 August, the Minsk City Police Department closed central Independence Square in front of the buildings of the government and the Central Election Commission.[6][7]

Landmarks

Buildings
Building Architectural details Function(s)

Supreme Soviet

Government House #1
 It stands behind a statue of Vladimir Lenin and is one of the few buildings that survived the Great Patriotic War.[8] It was built in 1934 and designed by Iosif Langbard.[8] It is one of the highest organs of state power in Belarus.[9] The Supreme Council is the continuation of the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR. It acts as the functioning parliament for Belarus.

Church of Saints Simon and Helena
 This church was created by Polish architects Tomasz Pajzderski and Wladyslaw Marconi, with construction starting in 1905 and ending in 1910. It is known as the Red Church for its red exterior, made from bricks from Częstochowa. It is a Roman Catholic church,[10] but in the Soviet era the church was used as a cinema. Mass is celebrated in Belarusian, Polish, Lithuanian, and Latin.
Belarusian State University

 It was created by architects I. Zaporozhets and G. Lavrov. The main building of BSU was completed in 1962.[8] There are 16 Faculties within BSU. 4 of those institutes are Educational Institutes that provide training on either undergraduate or post-graduate levels of education.[11] The BSU is a higher education university in Minsk.
Minsk City Council

The City council was made by architects S. Musinski and G. Sysoev in 1964.[8] The Council decides on the economy, market reforms, external economic activity enterprises and organizations of transport and communication, housing, communal services and power engineering, city planning, services industry, public health services, physical training, sport and tourism, education and culture, social security and public relations.[12]

Others
  • Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University
  • Minsk Metro headquarters
  • Minsk Mayor’s Office
  • Former commercial apartment buildings of the early 20th century
  • Lenin Statue outside the Government headquarter
  • Shopping mall "Stoliсa" (located underground)
Statue of Lenin

References
  1. "Places to see in Minsk: exciting tourist attractions, museums, picturesque parks… | Belarus.by". www.belarus.by. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  2. minskiy100 (2013-11-06), 100 лет Ленина в Минске, retrieved 2017-01-08
  3. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/08/16/lukashenko-urges-supporters-to-defend-belarus-independence-a71165
  4. https://pledgetimes.com/lukashenkas-son-who-arrived-at-the-rally-was-compared-to-his-bodyguard/
  5. https://amp.france24.com/en/20200816-lukashenko-says-putin-offers-help-as-belarus-protesters-plan-march-of-freedom
  6. https://tass.com/world/1187429
  7. https://tass.com/world/1189395/amp
  8. "Stalinist architecture of Minsk". www.comtourist.com. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  9. "03491". knowbysight.info. Archived from the original on 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  10. "Чырвоны касцёл - Красный костел - chyrvony.by". Чырвоны касцёл. Парафія Св. Сымона і Св. Алены ў Мінску (in Belarusian). Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  11. "Organisations: Belarusian State University: Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus". www.mathnet.ru. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  12. "Home — Minsk city executive committee". minsk.gov.by. Retrieved 2017-01-23.

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