The Ministry Of Culture Has Set Its Priorities: Bricks From The Brest Fortress Are More Important Than Chagall's Paintings

• 13.08.2026, 17:27

What will the Belarusian authorities prioritize in their rescue efforts?

The Ministry of Culture has approved procedures for the evacuation of historical and cultural artifacts that are at risk of destruction in the event of emergencies or armed conflict, including those located outside the republic. This resolution has been published on the National Legal Internet Portal.

Evacuation is provided for from emergency zones where there is a threat of destruction to historical and cultural treasures, as well as from zones of armed conflict, areas where armed forces and other military units are stationed, and zones at risk of attack.

The resolution establishes the priority order for removal, categorized from “0” to “3” and then “uncategorized.” In accordance with the Code on Culture, Category “0” includes sites of global significance that are inscribed or nominated for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Category “1” includes assets of international significance, Category “2” those of national significance, and Category “3” those of regional significance. “Uncategorized” refers to individual objects within a complex, ensemble, set, or collection that have not been independently granted the status of a historical and cultural asset.

Thus, according to the law, bricks from the Brest Fortress bearing commemorative inscriptions by Soviet soldiers—which are classified as Category “1”—will be evacuated before, for example, paintings by Marc Chagall, which have been assigned only Category 2 status.