Intangible Cultural Heritage of Belarus

In 2003, Belarus signed the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and became a member of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Today, there are already more than 60 items on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Belarus, and some of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The unique folk traditions of Belarus are included in the excursion programs. So, everyone who loves culture and history has an opportunity to take part in such excursions including visits to intangible cultural heritage sites!

Kolyadnye Tsari

Tourists come to the village of Semezhevo in the Kopyl district for the Old New Year because it is interesting, and unusual here and the “Kolyadnye Tsari” ritual is performed as in the old times.

This is a unique folk ritual that originated in the 18th century when the czar’s forces were stationed near the village of Semezhevo. During the celebration of the New Year, officers and soldiers went from house to house and congratulated the locals. They performed, sang, and danced, for which they were treated by the owners. According to the Gregorian calendar, this day is celebrated on January 13.

Following the czar’s forces leaving the village, the locals kept alive and promoted the tradition. The “Kolyadnye Tsari” ritual is not just a tribute to tradition, but also a holiday that is constantly evolving from year to year and is tourist-friendly. It is a folk custom that both visitors and local residents cannot but remember and revere. This means that such a significant tradition is passed down from generation to generation.

Tereshka’s marriage

The “Tereshka’s Marriage” kolyada game is a facetious wedding arranged by village youth so that couples can get to know each other better. The custom is observed strictly from December 25 to January 7 in the territory of the settlements of the Lepel district.

The main idea is that girls and boys get to know each other as the games unfold, couples are formed and two young people are married pour rire. Dancing together, Thread the Needle games, and kissing a fool often lead to the development of sincere feelings. Traditionally, the “marriage” is arranged by the elders. In 2009, the ritual game was recognized as a historical and cultural value of Belarus.

Budslav Fest

A celebration in honor of the veneration of the Budslav Icon of the Mother of God is held in the town of Budslav annually on July 2. It attracts believers from all over Belarus and neighboring countries. This largest and also the most beautiful religious holiday attracts thousands of pilgrims who want to worship the Mother of God of Budslav.

In 2019, the Budslav Fest ceremony was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Forest beekeeping culture

Beekeeping, as an ancient forestry and the initial form of bee farming, has been widespread and well developed in the territory of Belarus since ancient times. Beekeeping is based on forest bee raising in artificial hollows.

Today, beekeeping is preserved in many villages of the Lelchitsy district, it is found within the Petrikov, Loev, Zhitkovichi, and Yelsk districts of the Gomel region, Stolin and Pinsk districts of the Brest region. You can meet with individual beekeepers in the Grodno, Minsk, and Vitebsk regions. The forest beekeeping culture in Belarus is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Travel all over Belarus! After all, there are so many different traditions, crafts, and recipes that you can get acquainted with.