Traditions of Belarus

1.

2.

Kupalle
There is a holiday in the Belarusian
calendar, which is honored by the
inhabitants of the country along with
Christmas. But it is more pagan than
Christian, and is celebrated in the summer.
We are talking, of course, about Kupala,
the epicenter of the summer holidays
among the Eastern Slavs. Kupalle is
celebrated according to the Orthodox
calendar — on the night of July 6-7,
according to the Catholic calendar — on
June 24. In different regions of Belarus,
you can hear more than 15 names of this
holiday. The most common of them are:
Kupala, Kupalinka, Ivan Kupala, Ivanov's
day, Cress, Ivan Travnik, Kolosok, Yarylin
day, Yarylin festivities, the Feast of the Sun
and Love, Ivan Vyadzmacki, Ivan Kaldunsky
and others.

3.

На праздник Ивана Купала славяне проводили (и проводят до сих пор) множество обрядов. Самый
известный и одновременно таинственный — поиск папараць-кветкі, который открывает в
человеке сверхвозможностями: понимать разговор зверей и птиц, видеть русалок и наблюдать,
как в лесу играют деревья. Но ко всему прочему, существует поверье, что владелец цветка
способен обнаружить любое сокровище.

4.

Of the common Kupala rituals, the following
can be distinguished:
Women and girls gathered wildflowers and herbs
during the day, which were then consecrated in the
church. After that, the plants were dried and used in
folk medicine all year round.
On the eve or on Kupala night, we always swam in
the pond. People believed that on this magical
holiday, water has a special cleansing power.

5.

Young girls gathered on the shore of a lake or river and
wondered about the future. To do this, wreaths were
woven and floated on the water. If the wreath floats far
away, it promises a lot of happiness in love. And if the
wreath was sinking, then it will not be possible to build
a close relationship with the hidden person. Two
wreaths were also woven-for the bride and groom which were then also launched into the water. If the
current connects two wreaths, then a happy wedding
will take place soon
Pancakes are a magical dish for Kupala,
which the girls cooked and treated the
guys to them. Cheese, fried eggs with
bacon, flatbreads with hemp seed are
also considered traditional dishes on
Ivan Kupala.

6.

The main attribute of the Pool is a bonfire, which
was prepared by men. At the same time,
unnecessary things were collected from all over the
village, including the clothes of unhealthy peasants,
in order to destroy the disease. One of the
mandatory components was a wooden wheel,
which was lifted up and set on fire, which
symbolized the sun illuminating the darkness. They
burned a bonfire on the shore of the reservoir.
Giving things to the fire, people asked for a rich
harvest, health, prosperity and, of course,
happiness in love.
Round dances were held around the
lit campfire, noisy fun games were
played, Kupala songs were sung
(perhaps the most famous is
"Kupalinka—dark night"). And they
also jumped over the fire.

7.

At dawn after the Bath, everyone was swinging on the grass-they were
cleansed by the morning dew. People believed that such a ceremony
would provide good health for a whole year.

8.

Maslenitsa

9.

Horse riding, swings and snow slides were mandatory attributes for Maslenitsa. Festive feasts
with pancakes continued all week, especially from Thursday, when the "broad" Carnival
began. Such Belarusian Maslenitsa amusements as "taking off your shoes", "shaking pillows"
and "dragging a deck" have come down to our days.

10.

The week ended with the celebration of Maslenitsa with the burning of
an effigy, commemoration of the dead and forgiveness of insults to each
other. The Orthodox ended the Cheese Week and Lent began.

11.

thank you for your attention!