By Andrey Anikeev
The art of making felt boots has been passed down by local masters from generation to generation. There’s even a workshop in the History and Ethnography Museum in Dribin, where children are taught to create felt boots.
This year, the Belarusian tradition of felt-making will be proposed by the Culture Ministry for inclusion on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, joining the Belarusian ‘Kolyady Tsars’ custom.
According to Valeria Klitsounova, the Chair of the Country Escape Public Association, several more traditions are to be suggested for inclusion on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: the tradition of lapti weaving; the Motol Delicacies culinary festival; and ‘Tereshka’s Wedding’ Kolyady game. Several other ‘intangible treasures’, which are part of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of Belarus, are also to be submitted.
“Not every custom is suitable for attracting tourists but there are several crafts and customs which are perfect for tourism,” notes Ms. Klitsounova.
