Throughout many centuries of history, the Belarusian people created its unique and original culture. Traditional folk customs and rites harmoniously interlace with Christian traditions. |
Christians make up the biggest part of the population of Belarus. According to the Christian doctrine, Christmas and Easter are the main religious holidays, annually celebrated by millions of believers all over the country. In Belarus, all the Christian holidays are celebrated twice: by the Catholic and Orthodox religious calendars. | |
Along with Christian holidays, such folk festivities of pagan origin as Kupalle (Midsummer Night) and Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) are widely celebrated in Belarus. Folk games and traditional ceremonies are part of them. One of the main traditions of Kupalle is search for the mythic paparats-kvetka (fern flower). Those, who find it, will enjoy good luck for the whole year; all their wishes will come true. Maslenitsa is a ceremony at the junction of two seasons; it sees off winter and meets spring. Popular festivals of folk music, dancing and national costumes are organized at the time of Maslenitsa. |
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There have been times (during the wars, the annexations of the territory, during the years of the Soviet Union) when the Christian holidays seem to have been forbidden.
New Year is widely celebrated all over the country. Preparations to this holiday start a couple of weeks before. The towns and cities of Belarus put on holiday attire; illumination, New Year trees in the squares and New Year fairs add to the holiday mood. The culmination of the festivity is the December 31— January 1 night, when various concerts and open-air merrymaking take place. January 1 is an official holiday.
The Belarusian people are proud of the country’s past and its traditional culture. The medieval festival “The White Castle” is arranged every spring in Minsk. The spectators can admire performances in costume, combats of knights and ancient music. Every summer, in Belarusian castles (in Lida, Mir, Novogrudok, Nesvizh, etc.) knights’ tournaments and international medieval festivals take place. They attract spectators and participants from many countries of the world. |
In late autumn (November, 2) Belarusans have Dziady. It is a day for commemoration of the dead relatives. The special ritual food is cooked for Dziady dinner. According to the tradition part of the food and drink is left in a special plate and glass for the dead. At this day families are going to the cemeteries to take care of the graves.
Once upon a time the winter solstice was a time for meditation on the year gone by and of hope for the year to come, the sun, giver of life, was at its lowest ebb and ancient people, lacking the scientific knowledge we have today, feared that its power to spread life over the earth might never return. That's why people asked the sun to come back, they sang songs to honor it. Thus the Kaliady holiday appeared which later became the integral part of the Christian holiday Christmas, the greatest holiday in the year. On the one hand, there are large congregations at church services. On the other hand, there is Christmas shopping, theatrical entertainments and much eating, drinking and fun. People dress themselves as animals and fantastic beasts and visit different houses trick-or-treating. They sing special Kaliady songs in which the performers greet the house owners, wish them success and plentitude.
Many places of historical interest now are opened for tourists. They reflect the past and the culture of the country. There are castles, palaces, pieces of ancient culture discovered during the excavation, unique museums among them.
Traditional folk dancing remains popular.
Music and art also play an important part in the national life of Belarus, with national and international festivals held regularly across the country. The best known of these is the Slavyanskiy Bazaar in Vitebsk.
Holidays:
15 March - Constitution Day (Belarus established its new Constitution).
2 April - Union Day of Belarus and Russia
2nd Sunday in May - Day of the National Emblem and Flag of Belarus
9 May - Victory Day
Victory Day commemorates victory in the World War 2 (known as the Great Patriotic War).During the war, 25 per cent of the population of Belarus died. The occasion is marked with a large parade in Minsk Victory Square led by war veterans.
3 July - Independence Day
In Belarus, Independence Day is celebrated on 3 July and marks the liberation of Minsk in 1944 from fascist aggressors.
Belarus people
The people of Belarus are a kind, friendly and good humoured nation. The patience and peacefulness of the Belarusian people has been determined by the nation’s history that has been darkened by endless wars which the Belarusians did not start, but fell victim to. Belarus is welcoming to all visitors and interested in sharing its culture, traditions and sense of community with them.
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| Battlefield Archaeology | | | 1. If the xylem in a young tree is damaged, which process is first affected? |