National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus



"Polonaises for Return" at the Embassy of Belarus in France

  • 09.04.2015

"Polonaises for Return" exhibition, dedicated to the 250th birth anniversary of Michał Kleofas Ogiński, will be opened at the Embassy of Belarus in France on 9 April 2015, and on June 23 at the headquarters of the UNESCO during a ball in honour of Michał Kleofas Ogiński.

An archive of Michał Kleofas Ogiński stored in the collection of the Museum of Theatre and Music Culture served as materials for creating the exhibition. In 2008, documentary part of the archive was returned from the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, where Ogiński's son Ireneusz handed materials in 1833, after the death of his father.

Belarusians are able to save the memory associated with the life and work of famous personalities. Not coincidentally, we celebrate 250th birth anniversary M.Kl. Ogiński with dignity and in a big way: the manor of Zaliessie is restored, numerous exhibition projects are created; M.Kl. Ogiński's Memoires are published in the Belarusian language; books by musician's heirs Iwo Załuski and Andrzej Załuski are reprinted, and conferences are being held.

The main part of the "Polonaises of Return" exhibition is a documentary heritage and photographs. The exhibition consists of 13 plates, including: Ogiński family tree, encrypted correspondence of Michał Kleofas Ogiński's Father Count Andrzej with Polish king Stanisław August Poniatowski, letters by Michał Kleofas Ogiński written in exile, music manuscripts, including the polonaise Farewell to the Homeland, materials concerning the manor of Zaliessie and other documents related to the life and work of the great son of his era.