World History: World War I Museum opens its doors in Volyn Oblast

A unique museum of World War I, which is so far the only one existing on the territory of the former Soviet Union, has opened in the Perespa village, Volyn Oblast (Ukraine).

The museum opened its doors within series of events running June 2-4, 2011 in Volyn Oblast which highlighted 95th anniversary of Brusilov (Lutsk) Offensive, a glorious military operation, undertaken by forces of South-Western front of the Russian Army.

The events were launched in Lutsk which hosted an international conference “Memory of the past – a way to the future”.

“For most Volyn Oblast residents World War I is our common history, while Brusilov (Lutsk) Offensive – our common victory”, said Olga Sagan, organizer of events, head of the Russian Cultural Center in Lutsk.

Participants of events set off for Perespa village. There was opened a commemorative plaque on the site of the monument to Kornei Nazarchuk, holder of all four Crosses of St. George, participant of Brusilov Offensive, who lived in Lynivka village. 

A unique World War I Museum was also solemnly unveiled in Perespa. Its exhibits is a fruit of hard work of youth search units which took many years.

The events were supported by the Embassy of Russia in Ukraine, Rossotrudnichestvo office in Ukraine and Anatoly Lisitsyn Foundation. Celebrations were attended by representatives of embassies, state and public organizations, historians from Russia and Ukraine.

While holding the events it was decided to establish the International Association of Historians, called “Brusilov Offensive” Association. It intends to unite scholars from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to prepare for the upcoming 100th World War I anniversary.