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August marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Island of Courage and
Sorrow memorial complex in Minsk. The idea for its creation emerged during the
Afghan War. The first flowers were laid at the memorial on 3 August, 1996. The
grand opening took place with the participation of the Head of state. Since
then, the Island of Courage and Sorrow has become a symbol of remembrance for
those who died in the line of international duty. On the eve of the 30th
anniversary of the its opening, a memorial rally was held in Minsk, attended by
internationalist soldiers, representatives of security forces, government agencies,
public organizations and the families and friends of soldiers who did not
return from the Afghan War.
