On March 13, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A public discussion on the necessity of creating a monument to Prince of Krevo and Vitebsk, Grand Duke of Lithuania and Rus' Algirdas Gediminas began today in Vitebsk at the "Dukhovskoy Kruglik" museum, a BELTA correspondent reports. The idea of creating a monument to the prince, an outstanding political figure of his era, who did much for the establishment of Vitebsk as a trading and political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, had been circulating in the regional centre for a long time. Currently, a location for the potential installation of the monument has been determined, and its model has been created, reported Vladimir Shloma, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee. According to him, before making a decision on the fate of the monument, the local authorities decided to draw the attention of a wide range of the public to this issue. It is noteworthy that the discussion was launched at the "Dukhovskoy Kruglik" museum, which is built on authentic foundations and externally resembles one of the watchtowers erected around Vitebsk Castle by Prince Algirdas. Historians, archaeologists, architects, clergy, officials, journalists, and concerned citizens took part in the discussion. According to their unanimous opinion, a monument to the historical figure should be created in the city. For example, the renowned archaeologist Tatyana Bubenko believes that the creation of a monument to Algirdas will evoke positive feedback not only in Belarus but also beyond its borders. "He is the first Vitebsk prince about whom there are reliable facts. His activities in the political arena command deep respect," she stated. Anatoly Dulov, Associate Professor of the Department of History at Vitebsk State University, noted that Algirdas successfully fought against the Crusaders, and from the early 1350s, he waged a struggle against the Golden Horde. In 1362, he defeated the Tatars in the Battle of the Blue Waters, as a result of which the lands of Kyiv with Kyiv, as well as Volhynia and Podolia, were liberated from the yoke. The sculptural image of Algirdas is currently depicted in only one monument – the monument dedicated to the Millennium of Rus', which is installed in Veliky Novgorod. Voting on the creation of a monument to Prince Algirdas is open on the official website of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee. So far, citizens are leaning in favour of the monument. If the project receives public approval, it will be submitted for consideration by the Ministry of Culture and the Head of State. -0-

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