“Xotira” memorial majmuasi
The Xotira memorial is a place of remembrance in central Baranavichy that honors the Jewish community that lived there during wartime. A large stone serves as its centerpiece, surrounded by smaller stones and flowers, with a metal plaque bearing a Belarusian inscription and symbols of barbed wire carved into its surface.
After German occupation in 1941, Jews in Baranavichy were forced into a ghetto where about ten thousand people lived in severely crowded conditions. The destruction occurred between 1942 and December of that year, when the ghetto was liquidated and most residents were killed.
The name 'Xotira' means 'memory' in Belarusian, reflecting the purpose of this place. Visitors come here to pause and remember those who lived through the ghetto and the violence that occurred during the war years.
The memorial is located in central Baranavichy and is easily reached by a paved pathway that allows visitors simple access to reflect. The site can be visited throughout the year without restrictions, making it accessible at any time.
The memorial was built in 2002 on the 60th anniversary of the ghetto's liquidation, replacing earlier monuments that had been destroyed or damaged. This reconstruction shows the community's commitment to keeping the memory of the victims alive and creating a lasting mark of respect.
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