Anatoly Dudkin: “Naroch Widows”.

On 22 June 2026 at 16:00, the Mobile Gallery at the National Library of Belarus will host the opening of Naroch Widows, an exhibition by Belarusian photographer Anatoly Dudkin (1935–1991).

The exhibition presents one of the most significant photographic projects in the history of twentieth-century Belarusian photography. Created in the villages surrounding Lake Naroch, Naroch Widows is dedicated to women whose husbands never returned from the battlefields of the First World War. Decades after the conflict had ended, their lives continued to bear the imprint of a tragedy that shaped an entire generation.

At the heart of the project are themes of memory, time, love, and human dignity. Rather than documenting war itself, Dudkin explores its lasting presence in everyday life. His subjects are portrayed not as victims of history, but as custodians of memory, resilience, and enduring fidelity.

Widely regarded as one of the most profound humanist works in Belarusian documentary photography, the series reveals how historical events continue to resonate long after they have disappeared from public consciousness. Through faces, gestures, domestic interiors, and ordinary objects, Dudkin creates a deeply moving portrait of an era and of people whose lives remained inseparable from the past.


About the Project


Venue:
Mobile Gallery.
National Library of Belarus, 3rd Floor.
116 Independence Avenue, Minsk.

Opening:
22 June 2026, 16:00.

Exhibition Dates:
22 June – 21 July 2026.

Admission:
Free admission to the opening event.
On other days, admission is available with a National Library of Belarus reader’s card or a visitor pass issued by the Library’s Sociocultural Centre.