Minskers Defend Tractor Village

Citizens are collecting signatures under the request not to demolish Tractor Village.

Minsk residents began collecting signatures under the petition against the demolition of Tractor Village and giving it the status of historical and cultural value. The petition will be passed to the Minsk city executive committee and Lukashenka’s administration, tut.by writes.

The authors of the petition ask to reconsider the decision of the Minsk executive committee to demolish two-storey residential buildings in the village of the tractor factory.

"The decision to demolish the buildings was made when the village had no status of a heritage asset, but we draw your attention to the fact that the officials’ and the public opinion (including the one of the experts and a large part of the locals) on the issue diverged dramatically. The eExperts (well-known architects, historians, artists, tourists) argue that the tractor factory village, built in the late 1940s - early 1950s, is a unique example of Soviet thoughtful urban planning approach, which represents the state’s care about the employees of the plant. All the facilities of the village as a whole – are a carefully composed ensemble, where every piece is verified: from decoration of the house, to number of stories in the buildings, which creates cozy, human-oriented living conditions," – the petition states.

The authors believe that if the settlement is demolished, the city will lose one of the most interesting historical corners.

"We appeal to reconsider the issue of granting the tractor factory village (or its separate parts) the status of an architectural / historical monument, which would contribute to the conservation of the architectural appearance of the city and its development as a tourist area," – the authors of the petition ask.

We remind that the issue of the demolition of the two-storey houses, located within the boundaries of Klumau, Shcharbakou and Chebatarou streets, was discussed by city architects for a few years, the project was changed or postponed for a while due to the lack of funding. As a result, it was decided to demolish the houses in the near future. New residential homes, not higher than seven floors, are to be built instead. Urban activists have decided to draw attention to this issue through free guided tours around the village, which have been attended by hundreds of Minsk dwellers.