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the Island of Tears, Belarus. Author Dennis Jarvis.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Island of Tears, Belarus

It is a beautiful and moving memorial, set on a little island in the middle of the river in Minsk. It is more than just a monument. It is valued as a monument to the fallen soldiers in the war in Afghanistan from 1979-1989. However, it is also a symbol of sorrow for all dead Belarusian warriors during the whole history of the country.

More than 30,000 Belarusians took part in the war in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, around 800 soldiers died, several of them were lost, and many of them became disabled.

The Island of Tears can be reached by the arch-type bridge. Right after passing the bridge, you will see the icon of St. Mary, engraved in the stone.

1. It Is An Artificial Island Constructed On The River

Interestingly, the memorial complex is constructed on the artificial island that is located on the river Svislach. It is situated in the historical place that is the center of Minsk, and it is one of the main sightseeing points.

 The monument was built in 1985, when the war was still ongoing, while the complex was officially opened on the 3rd of August 1990.

2. There Is A Chapel With 771 Names Of Fallen Soldiers Of The War

Holy Ghost Orthodox Cathedral. Author Boris Kukushkin. Wikimedia Commons

In the center of the memorial complex, you will see the chapel and the surnames of the 771 soldiers, written on the inner walls. Those soldiers are the ones who died in the war, and their relatives and family members often have an opportunity to light a candle in front of each surname and pray for their loved ones.

The other side of the walls is marked by paintings that represent different scenes from the Bible. There is also a cross with an inlet ruby inside that rises above the church, and it is lighted by the lantern installed on the floor. The red stone is a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ and the warriors who have died. A figure of a crying angel

3. Standing Out In The Island Is The Figure Of A Crying Angel

There Is also the figure of a crying angel. The angel is crying because he could not save the Belarusian soldiers from death. The angel is also crying because he could not protect those who came back alive to their countries, as they died anyway later because of the physical and spiritual trauma.

Every year on the 15th of February, veterans of the war and the relatives of the dead and survived soldiers gather on the island to show their respect. Tourists also visit the Island of Tears very often, and they agree with the fact that it is more than just a monument.

4. There Are Several Statues Of Weeping Women

It commemorates the Soviet soldiers from Belarus who died in the long war with Afghanistan in the 1970s. At the base are several huge statues depicting weeping or stoical women, who express the pain and sadness of the mothers, sisters, and wives of their generation. It’s a very striking memorial, which benefits from its picturesque location on a small island in the river Svislach.

5. It is Also Referred To As The Island Of Courage And Grief

 The Island of Tears or the Island of Courage and Grief is situated in the historical place, at the center of the capital of the Republic of Belarus. This memorial is dedicated to the Belarusian soldiers lost in 1979-1989 years in Afghanistan.

The memorial was formally set up in early August 1996 through the process of building started in 1988 when the war in Afghanistan was still going on.

It is estimated about thirty thousand Belarusians took part in that terrible long war. Out of this, almost eight hundred people were killed, twelve persons went missing and about 720 soldiers were permanently handicapped.

6. Apart From The Commemoration Plaque, There Is Also A Church Built

There is a large boulder with an icon of the Mother of God hidden in its alcove and an orthodox church. It has the plaque with the words «To commemorate the sons lost in Afghanistan is built this memorial church on behalf of the Belarusian mothers who do not want the evil to dominate their land or any other land». This boulder was established here in 1988.

 In the center of the memorial complex is the chapel built in commemoration of the soldiers-internationalists whose 771 names of dead are listed on the walls.

The chapel is situated on sixteen piles and resembles the church of Euphrosyne of Polotsk of the times of the 11th century. There are stories of the Bible depicted on the ceiling and walls of the chapel.

7. The Central Icon Of The Church is The Divine Mother of Belarus

Mural paintings and icons can also be found. they are performed by the method of wax painting when the strongly heated wax paints are applied to the base.

The central icon of the church is the Divine Mother of Belarus. It depicts Belarus as a woman surrounded by her sons-the warriors of the Afghan war, the Great Patriotic war, and other wars.

8. Every Evening A Ruby is Lighted In Remembrance

There are four altars with the cut names of the lost soldiers where the parishioners can light candles. The metallic threads stretch from the dome of the church to the floor symbolizing the connection between the terrestrial and eternal.

Some statues are a bit ahead with lanterns in their hands as if they hope to see their sons alive, the others stand further away and they no longer wait because are aware of the terrible truth.

 A cross with an inlet ruby inside rises above the church. In the evening the ruby is lighted by the lantern installed on the floor. The red stone symbolizes Jesus Christ`s blood.

9. Newly Weds And Tourists visit The Island To Pay Tribute

Newlyweds and tourists visit the island of tears and lay flowers. On 15 February, the day of the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan, veterans of the war in Afghanistan and relatives of the alive and dead soldiers come to the island of tears to pay their respects.

10. The Island Serves As A Commemorative Symbol

The Island of Tears is not only a monument to the lost soldiers of the war in Afghanistan, it is a symbol of sorrow to all dead Belarusian warriors of all times, a commemorative symbol.