On August 5, 2026, the Free Belarus Museum will open “2020: Minsk Speaks” – a new exhibition dedicated to the events of 2020 and to the city that became the central protagonist of Belarus's peaceful resistance.
It was the moment when a nation known for its patience and resilience took to the streets to defend its dignity, freedom, and justice. A sea of people filled the country as every corner declared a resolute “No!” to violence and dictatorship, while Minsk became a symbol of unprecedented civic solidarity.
“2020: Minsk Speaks” brings visitors back to the atmosphere of that city – a city united by courage, hope, and solidarity. A city where we recognized one another at first glance, sang the same songs, and stood by each other.
The Space of Voices
At the heart of the exhibition is the archive donated to the museum by historian Aliaksandr Hruša, who documented Minsk's protest art throughout 2020. Murals, graffiti, stickers, slogans, and other visual traces reveal how the city found its own voice.
The Avenue of Flags
A central part of the exhibition is a collectively assembled avenue of white-red-white flags. These are the very flags that were carried during mass marches, hung from balconies, hidden during police raids, and taken into exile as cherished fragments of home.
The Living Archive
The atmosphere of the peaceful protests is recreated through a video installation featuring footage by Maksim Shved, Aliaksandr Bahdanau (Papa Bo), and Danila Hancharou. Their recordings preserve the moments when a new chapter of Belarusian history was being written.
Minsk still speaks today. As long as we remember and stand together, its voice will continue to be heard.
Exhibition: “2020: Minsk Speaks”
August 5–23, 2026
Free Belarus Museum
