No time to be bored

Where should you go to dispel the autumn blues? Here is a guide to the most vibrant tourist events this autumn.

In autumn, when we are prone to melancholy and despondency, a short trip could be a great way to recharge your batteries. The opportunity to experience an ancient local custom or sample an exotic dish adds a special vibe to such trips. Unique festivals, holidays and ethnic competitions for all tastes have been prepared for Belarusians and visitors to the country. Here you will find historical re-enactments, ancient games and gastronomic delights that many do not even know exist! We asked the organisers about the most authentic autumn events that you definitely should not miss.

What: Veles Night themed tour 

Where: Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, Domzheritsy village 
When: October 25th–26th
The tour programme includes a visit to the mythology museum and an evening excursion along the ecological trail named In the Land of Myths. The first day will end with a festive dinner accompanied by live music performed by an invited folk band. On the second day, a mythology quiz is planned for the tour participants: the most knowledgeable experts will receive prizes from the reserve. Oleg Shafarovich, the institution’s tourism manager, revealed the details, “We have been running the tour for six years, with the exception of last year, when the hotel was closed for renovation. What could a nature reserve possibly have in common with mythology, one might wonder? The protection of nature is our common goal, because in the past, forms of human interaction with nature were regulated by myths and beliefs. Veles Night is an ancient Slavic holiday that symbolised the calendar transition from autumn to winter and the end of agricultural work. You could say it was the analogue of the modern-day Dazhynki harvest festival.”

During Veles Night celebration                                    berezinsky.by

What: Millers’ festival 

Where: Odelsk agrotown, Grodno District 
When: November 8th
Odelsk has long been famous as a land of mills: once there were several dozen throughout the district. Hence the tradition — every second Sunday of November they honour the memory of St Martin, the heavenly patron of millers, as explained by Oksana Grintsevich, Director at Grodno District Cultural and Information Centre, “The festivities will begin with a theatrical procession, after which guests can expect a colourful kaleidoscope of surprises, including competitions of festive loaves and Belarusian farmsteads, a concert, tasting of pastries from housewives from different villages of Grodno District, an exhibition fair of folk art and agricultural products, followed by a festive disco. The highlight of the festival is a contest for the best mill created with your own hands. In addition, those who wish can take a tour of the unique museum of the ‘orchestra man’ — People’s Master of Belarus Marian Skromblevich, who creates wind and percussion musical instruments from wood.

What: Doll in the Circle of Life festival 

Where: Indura agrotown, Grodno District 
When: November 23rd
Since ancient times, dolls made of fabric have been a traditional toy of young Belarusians. The doll was considered a symbol of the continuation of the family line, a guarantee of family happiness. The festival became a tourist brand of the agrotown after a doll museum opened here in January 2019. On this day, in the Indura Centre of Culture, you will be able to see dolls made from various materials: straw, flax, papier-mâché, textiles. Guests of the festival can look forward to a performance by the Grodno Regional Puppet Theatre and the Batleika club from the Putrishki Centre of Culture. Throughout the day there will be a craft market, masterclasses in the making of protective dolls and traditional dances, while a games programme awaits the youngest participants of the festival.

What: Kata Pyachy rite (baking a cat cake) 

Where: Skirmantovo agrotown, Dzerzhinsk District 
When: November 27th
The Kata Pyachy authentic folk game holds the status of an intangible historical and cultural value of Belarus. As remembered by the tradition’s keepers, cat cakes were baked in many villages across Dzerzhinsk District. Successors of the tradition explain, “The cat is the guardian of marriage, a symbol of family happiness and well-being, fertility and fruitfulness. Therefore, both young men and women, as well as married couples and adult people, can play it.”
On the eve of the pre-Christmas fast, the Skirmantovo House of Culture will host the traditional game Kata Pyachy — a vivid example of leisure culture based on local heritage, preserved among the residents of the village of Skirmantovo. The main action of the game is the making of a cat figure from buns of a specific shape, which are connected in a special way. The head is decorated with ears made of lard, eyes made of blueberries, and a tail made of homemade sausage is attached.
The cat made in this way is solemnly carried to the centre of the house and tied to the ceiling. Afterwards, a comic competition begins: each of the players has to make a jump under the ceiling and bite off a piece of the cat. The better the skill, the fatter and more satisfying the prey will be. Jokes, dances, songs and treats — participants and spectators will find a lot of amusing and captivating things.

Kata Pyachy rite                                      berezinsky.by

What: On the Threads of a White Web, Spiders Bring Autumn trip to Yakub Kolas’ native places 

Where: Nikolaevshchina branch of the Yakub Kolas Literary Memorial Museum in Stolbtsy District 
When: November 1st
The museum invites you to celebrate the birthday of the classic author of Belarusian literature with a trip to his native places: the Akinchitsy, Albut and Smolnya estates. Participants can expect a fascinating excursion during which they will be able to see the locations where the poet spent his childhood and later years of his life. As a bonus, you can enjoy the beauty of Belarusian nature, savour a herbal tea drink, buy authentic souvenirs and crafts from artisans, and taste delicious dishes from national Belarusian cuisine. According to the branch of the museum, “Changes to the programme are possible. Prior booking is essential. A piece of advice: dress according to the weather forecast and bear in mind that you will have to walk a lot.” 

Yakub Kolas Literary Memorial Museum

By Viktoria Derzhanovich