Translation; MOUND GLORY/GLORY MOUND.
Belarus; Kurgan Slavi.
‘Mound of Glory’ is a monument to the Soviet soldiers who pushed back the Nazi invasion of Belarus during the Second World War. In 1944 liberation was achieved; following the 25th anniversary of this victorious occasion, earth was collected from Belarus towns and Hero Cities of the Soviet Union to create a 70ft hill, in which to build their monument to the Soviet efforts during this turning point in the war.
At the top of the two hundred and forty steps, four gigantic bayonets (tool of conflict and fighting) stand erect, pointing towards the sky – said to represent the four fronts/organisations on which divisions of the Soviet Army and members of other underground organizations successfully completed the liberation of Belarus. These details can be seen on the left side of the pin badge; towering above the circular depiction of the faces of the operation. ‘Kurgan Slavi’ (Mound Glory) is also arranged in such a way it appears almost like a flag attached to the towering bayonets.
(Above) Long distance photo of Mound of Glory, helping to put the size of the monument in perspective to surrounding features, and helping to deliver a lasting impact of historical importance and social pride due to the scale.
The second feature of the monument is a circular disk – an elaborate mosaic depicting faces of Soviet military and those who were involved in the liberation of Belarus under the Nazis. Although on the badge you can clearly make out that the details on this feature are human faces, it doesn’t have that impact of seeing the craft, and the intricate nature of the monument – I think this is something that needs to be admired by seeing it in person, or at least realised, through close photography.
(Above) Photo of the mosaic feature of the monument on the Mound of Glory.
This pin badge is probably a souvenir from visiting the monument, probably bought in nearby Minsk.
Cyrillic pins 