Zviazda

(Star), the daily newspaper of the Byelorussian SSR. Published in Minsk in Byelorussian.

The first issue came out July 27 (Aug. 9), 1917, in Minsk. The organizers and editors of Zviazda, which at that time was published in Russian, were M. V. Frunze and A. F. Miasnikov. The newspaper was closed down several times by the bourgeois Provisional Government, but it continued to be published under different names (Molot, Burevestnik). Zviazda played an important role in the establishment of Soviet power in Byelorussia. During the first few five-year plans (1929–41) the newspaper loyally assisted the party in mobilizing the masses to build socialism. In the period of the fascist German occupation of Byelorussia (1941–44), Zviazdawas published underground; it turned out 114 newspaper is-sues and many thousands of leaflets. For its great services during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45, Zviazda was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War First Class. In 1967 the newspaper was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Circulation, approximately 100,000(1972).