Christmas in Belarus, traditions, photos. How Christmas is celebrated in Belarus 2016
Christmas in Belarus
One of the main holidays in the Christian calendar, Christmas in Belarus has a long tradition and is widely celebrated by Orthodox Christians. Having gone on a winter weekend to the country of Belovezhskaya Pushcha and «Pesnyarov», you will get an unforgettable experience of communicating with its hospitable inhabitants and enjoyment of contemplating its pristine nature.
Traditions through the ages
The Belarusians have a modest dinner on Christmas Eve, since the Christmas fast is required to be observed until midnight. The main dishes are kutia and dried fruit broth. A little hay is placed under the tablecloth, which symbolizes the manger where the baby Jesus slept.
Temples on this night celebrate the birth of the Savior, and Christmas trees serve as an invariable decoration of the streets and squares. Belarus is a country where it is customary to observe cleanliness and order. Even on ordinary days, the streets are very neatly cleaned here, lawns and trees are mowed. During the holidays, Belarusian cities seem completely out of the picture. Garlands and lanterns, gold and red bows, Christmas wreaths on the doors of houses and figurines of angels in shop windows cheer up both residents and guests.
The capital sets the tone
Celebrating Christmas in Belarus is also an excellent opportunity to explore local sights. In the capital of the country, the city of Minsk, you can take many interesting walks along the old streets, see architectural masterpieces and taste the best local cuisine in numerous restaurants and cafes. A sightseeing trip around the city includes a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral and the Red Church, a tour of the Upper Town, a visit to museums and art galleries.
The ancient Zaslavl, in which the Polotsk princes lived, is located only 27 kilometers from the capital, and a trip there on Christmas in Belarus is an excellent opportunity to see the Zaslavl Castle and the Transfiguration Church.
For skiers and their fans
Who would have thought that Belarus would one day be positioned as a country with excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding? Nevertheless, in recent years, an increasing number of guests have come to winter leisure centers on its territory, including from Russia..
So Christmas in Belarus can also be seen on the slopes of Silichy or Logoisk, the Yakutsk Mountains or Mozyr. All these centers of active recreation are distinguished by excellent infrastructure, excellent opportunities for skiing with the whole family and a pleasant price for ski passes and equipment rental..
Winter holidays in a country with which Russian tourists have always been associated with the kindest neighborhood is a wonderful occasion to meet again and rejoice in each other's successes and achievements..