Christmastide in Belarus
Belarusians reverently preserve folk festivals that have been passed down from their ancestors, and invite everyone to participate
The New Year and Christmas have passed. The festive period known as Christmastide — the most mysterious of wonders — begins after Christmas and lasts for a full 12 days, right up until Epiphany. During Christmastide, it is customary to visit friends, give gifts, wish joy, health, and well-being, attend church, and honour the traditions of ancestors. These festive days are also inseparable from carol singing, which many have loved since childhood. Carolers would dress up as various totemic animals and birds — such as goats, bears, wolves, and storks — while a star, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem, was an essential attribute. This ancient custom is passed down from generation to generation and primarily thrives in rural areas. The ancestors of Belarusians believed that the more entertaining the carolling, the luckier the coming year would be. This is why it is customary for a lively group of masqueraders to gather around a bountiful table, while the youth engage in circle dances, singing, and praising Christmastide. Divination is an obligatory part of the carolling festivities.

Singing with kings
In the 18th century, the Russian army was stationed near the village of Semezhevo in Minsk Region. They say when soldiers are not at war, they are quite inventive. Thus, around New Year’s according to the old calendar, those brave military men would stroll through the village streets, entertaining the locals with performances filled with songs, dances, and humorous anecdotes. Their shows were based on the folk drama Tsar Maximilian. However, unlike the original plot, the main character in Semezhevo would either fight Mamai or seek cures for his ailments.The soldiers’ merriment became so beloved by the villagers that they have maintained this tradition on their own for over two centuries! On the evening of January 13th, they don costumes resembling the military uniforms of the Catherinian era and set off to bring joy to the people in their homes. In 1996, the rite of Kalyady Tsars (Christmas Kings) was included in the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
WHERE: Semezhevo, Kopyl District, Minsk Region
Marrying off Tereshka

WHERE: Lepel District, Vitebsk Region
Saddling ‘little horses’
Lovers of carnival spirit must definitely visit David-Gorodok. There, just before the Old New Year, everyone — young and old — gets involved in the winter fun of ‘koniki’ (little horses) with costumes of fairy-tale characters.As soon as night falls, boisterous groups, accompanied by an accordion, spill out onto the streets. They sing songs, perform humorous skits, and entice people to dance. Who can you spot in the vibrant crowd? The familiar characters include Grandfather, Grandmother, Devil, Death, Bear, Fox, and, of course, Horse, symbolising strength and health. By the way, it can look in different ways. Typically, the body is concealed under white fabric, with a fluffy tail attached at the back. An old felt boot serves as the head. The construction is simple, allowing anyone to saddle this creature.
WHERE: David-Gorodok, Stolin District, Brest Region

‘Koniki’ winter fun
Pulling Kolyada onto the oak

WHERE: Noviny, Berezino District, Minsk Region
Appreciating rural generosity
Christmastide traditions are popular in many Belarusian villages. Children and young people gather in small groups on the evenings of January 7th or 13th and go from house to house singing songs that glorify Christ. Hosts generously treat the carol singers with sweets, and some even give them money for a good song.In the village of Bogdanovka, handmade ‘bytlei’, also known as ‘buklei’ [a large five-pointed star, symbolising the star of the Bethlehem night], have been an unchanging attribute of the holiday for many years. The simple cylindrical structure features a tiny theatre inside, with paper animals, people, and trees. When a candle is lit, shadows of fairy-tale characters begin to come alive on the screen made of matte tracing paper. Children are captivated!
WHERE: Bogdanovka, Luninets District, Brest Region

By Sofia Arsenyeva