The memorial park of Kupala «Levki»

The Yanka Kupala Memorial Reserve in Lyawki is more than just a museum complex — it is a soulful place where the memory of Belarus’s national poet is carefully preserved. Nestled in a scenic corner of the Vitebsk region, on the picturesque bank of the Dnieper River near the village of Lyawki, the reserve brings together valuable sites connected to the poet’s life and literary heritage. A special atmosphere of tranquility, harmony, and inspiration prevails here — the kind of setting in which Kupala created his timeless poetic works.

History

The story of the reserve began in 1935 when Yanka Kupala was granted a plot of land in Lyawki and started building a wooden summer house. He spent time here with his family, welcomed guests, and composed poems that became part of the literary treasure of Belarus. In July 1941, at the start of World War II, the house was destroyed by a shell. However, in 1945, a decision was made to restore the house and establish a museum. In 1978, the memorial reserve was officially opened and has since preserved the spirit of Kupala’s era for over four decades.

Exhibition Complex

Today, visitors can explore the following sites within the reserve:

• The reconstructed house of the poet, rebuilt based on photographs and eyewitness accounts. Inside, you’ll find authentic household items, Kupala’s personal belongings, his writing desk, a radio receiver, and furniture from the 1930s–40s.
• The former forester’s lodge, where the poet lived during the construction of his summer house. It contains his manuscripts, letters, rare publications, and documents that reflect his connections with fellow writers such as Kolas, Brovka, and Chorny.
• The chauffeur’s house, which houses a «Chevrolet» car gifted to Kupala by the authorities of the BSSR.
• A sculptural composition depicting the poet seated on a bench — a work by the renowned sculptor Andrei Anikeichik.

Modern technology has enhanced the exhibition: multimedia elements allow visitors to see a digital Kupala strolling through the garden, hear his voice, and experience the natural sounds that once inspired him. The grounds also feature utility buildings, a guesthouse, a wooden staircase leading to the river, and an informational map of the reserve.

Excursions

The reserve is open to visitors all year round. It regularly hosts cultural events — concerts, exhibitions, and literary evenings dedicated to special dates. You can visit this remarkable place as part of an individual excursion from Minsk, which we will gladly arrange upon request. A trip to Lyawki is not just an introduction to history, but an immersive journey into Kupala’s poetic world, where every tree and path seems to remember the footsteps of the Master.