The Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, Minsk

Rising in a commanding position on Independence Avenue, near October Square and the Oktyabrskaya metro station, the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions is one of Minsk’s most striking architectural and cultural landmarks. Officially opened on July 3, 1956, the palace was designed by architect V. Ershov following a project begun in 1954, and from its earliest days, it set out to embody the Soviet vision of unity, culture, and collective life.

Its exterior evokes the gravitas of classical temples, with majestic Ionic columns and sculptural adornments that hint at the philosophical ideals the building was intended to represent. On the façade, visitors can admire allegorical figures depicting a girl with a violin, a peasant woman, a worker, an athlete, a student with a globe, and a scientist-engineer — all created by Belarusian sculptors Alexey Glebov, Viktor Popov, and Sergey Selikhanov. These sculptures are said to have had real-life prototypes, enhancing their symbolic resonance.

Inside, the Palace of Culture boasts a grand columned hall on the ground floor with sumptuous stucco work, vaulted arches, and opulent architectural detailing — a space often used for ceremonies and receptions. Adjacent stands a theater hall seating around 850 people, whose stage was modeled on the famous stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, allowing the venue to host large-scale performances of music, drama, and dance.

Beyond performance, the Palace is also an educational and historical hub: it houses the Museum of the History of the Belarusian Trade Union Movement, containing over 1,700 exhibits spanning archival documents, photographs, tools, and household objects, charting the development of workers’ rights in Belarus. Today, it remains highly active — home to more than 30 creative groups, clubs, and studios, and hosting around 700 events annually, from concerts and theater to competitions and festivals.