On March 14, 2024, the Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery (15 Svabody Square) hosted the opening of the exhibition project of ancient Belarusian sacred art 33 Steps of the Department of Ancient Belarusian Culture of the Centre for the Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Researches of the NAS of Belarus with the participation of the Minsk City History Museum. As Boris Lazuko, Head of the Centre's department, PhD in Art History, Associate Professor, noted at the opening ceremony, "The idea of the exhibition is to show important events in the life of Belarusians, which we can compare with world history. Thirty-three steps as 33 years of Christ's life is a kind of allegory that reflects the steps in each person's life from birth to the end of life. How to go through this life path is a task that all people have to solve."

The exhibition introduces visitors to the historical and cultural values of sacred art dedicated to the evangelical events of the Way of the Cross of Jesus Christ and the Easter holiday from the collection of the Department of Ancient Belarusian Culture of the Centre for the Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The exhibition presents unique works of iconography and sculpture created in the 17–19 centuries on the territory of Belarus. After the closure of many churches in the 1960s and 1970s, these works were saved from plunder and destruction. Through the efforts of art historians, during scientific expeditions, monuments of sacred art were carefully collected in the collection of the Museum of Ancient Belarusian Culture of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR.

In 2001, by the Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, the scientific collections of the Department of Ancient Belarusian Culture were recognized as the National Treasure of the Republic of Belarus.

The exhibition presents various types of wooden crosses of Orthodox and Catholic denominations from different regions of Belarus. The tradition of putting wooden crosses goes back to ancient times. Crosses were the visible embodiment of prayer, as well as gratitude for healing, for getting rid of pestilence, for saving from death. Later, wooden sanctuary (portable) crosses spread: both carved and decorated with images painted in tempera paints. Such crosses are a real work of art. The exhibition also presents beautiful examples of wooden "Golgotha".

A remarkable example of the sacred art of Belarus is the Shroud of Jesus Christ, brought from the Brest region. Painstakingly restored literally by threads, the Shroud takes its place of honor at the exhibition, as an integral part of the temple worship.

The exhibition is decorated with samples of Belarusian iconography and altarpieces depicting the image of Jesus Christ and evangelical events. The peculiarities of the Belarusian school, with its attraction to the folklore interpretation of classical subjects, make it possible to feel the national perception of sacred art.

The exhibition also features works by the National Artist of Belarus Mikhail A. Savitsky on biblical themes. These are works dedicated to the evangelical events from the life of Jesus Christ, reinterpreted by the artist and filled with deep philosophical content.

The works of sacred art presented at the exhibition return to us as if from oblivion, giving us the opportunity to realize the importance of spiritual heritage for modernity, define cultural identity and revive historical memory.

The exhibition runs until May 19, 2024.