Christmas In Belarus: Unique Traditions And Dates

Belarus has two public holidays dedicated to Christmas: Orthodox Christmas and Catholic Christmas. While 82.5% of the religious population of Belarus belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church and only 12% are Roman Catholic, both holidays are important for the country. Catholic Christmas is celebrated on 25 December, while Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on 7 January.

Christmas in Belarus is called 'Kaliady'

Christmas in Belarus is called Kaliady, which means 'calendar' in Latin. The name Kaliady comes from old pre-Christian/pagan winter solstice celebrations. Kaliady is a festive period that starts on December 25, when Catholics and Protestants in Belarus celebrate Christmas, and ends on January 7, when Christmas is celebrated in the Orthodox Church.

During the Soviet era, Christmas and Kaliady were not widely celebrated in Belarus, and New Year's Eve became the most important holiday of the year. This tradition has continued, and while Christmas plays a significant role in modern Belarusian society, New Year's Eve is still the bigger holiday.

Kaliady is also the name of an old pre-Soviet tradition where people would dress up and go from house to house, singing songs in a similar way to modern carol singing. This tradition is still kept alive in some rural villages, although it is not common anymore.

Many of the traditions typically associated with Christmas in Belarus are now linked to New Year celebrations. There are New Year Trees, sometimes called Holiday Trees, and gifts are often exchanged on New Year's Eve.

Belarusians also have three important meals during Kaliady, known as 'Kućcia' (or 'Kutia' or 'Kutsia'). These are simple meals with no meat or fat, and they are eaten on Christmas Eve. The first meal is known as the 'fasting' or 'Lent' Kućcia, and the last meal is the 'Hungry' Kućcia. The middle Kućcia, eaten on New Year's Eve, is a large feast featuring dishes such as Olivje (or Olivier) salad, and Shuba (diced pickled herring with layers of grated vegetables, chopped onions and mayonnaise).

Christmas Day is a public holiday

In Belarus, Christmas Day is a public holiday. However, due to the country's Soviet legacy, New Year's Eve is the main holiday of the year. During Soviet times, the celebration of "Western" and religious holidays was discouraged, and so Christmas was largely replaced by New Year's Eve festivities. Now, Christmas is celebrated in Belarus, but New Year's Eve remains the bigger holiday.

There are two public holidays dedicated to Christmas in Belarus: Orthodox Christmas and Catholic Christmas. While 82.5% of the religious population of Belarus belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and only 12% are Roman Catholic, both holidays are considered important. Catholic Christmas is celebrated on 25 December, and the traditions are similar to those in neighbouring countries and the rest of Europe. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on 7 January and has some unique characteristics.

On Orthodox Christmas Eve, it is customary for all family members to gather for a festive meal. The dinner is served without meat and consists of twelve dishes, including mushrooms, fish, and vegetables, to represent the twelve apostles. Some people attend a vespers service at a church or cathedral. The main Orthodox Christmas Day celebrations take place on 7 January, when people visit friends and family and exchange congratulations.

Christmas Day, on 7 January, is a public holiday in Belarus, allowing people to spend time with their loved ones.

Christmas Eve dinner traditions

In Belarus, Christmas Eve is known as Kućcia or Kutia, which is also the name of a porridge eaten at the Christmas Eve meal. The Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally served without meat and consists of 12 dishes of fish, mushrooms, and vegetables to represent the 12 apostles. The dishes are served on a table with straw or hay spread underneath the tablecloth, symbolising the hay that padded the manger where Jesus was born.

The 12 dishes of the Kućcia include pancakes, fish, and mushrooms, as well as kisel, a dessert made of oatmeal fruit, berries, and potato starch sometimes served with milk. The main festive dish is kutya, a cereal porridge with honey, nuts, and dried fruits. The table may also include jelly, borsch, and other dishes made from cabbage.

Before the meal, the head of the family invites deceased ancestors to join, and a portion of kutya is left in the hallway or outside for them. After the meal, the table remains as it is so that ancestral spirits may partake of the meal at night.

Bread is broken and shared between family members rather than cut with a knife, and candles are lit to represent the everlasting light of the Star of Bethlehem.

While Christmas Eve is a time for fasting and simple meals, the main celebration on New Year's Eve is a big feast. A vital dish for this celebration is Olivje or Olivier salad, made from potatoes, eggs, green peas, pickles, mayonnaise, and ham. Other popular dishes include the Shuba salad, tinned peas, and mandarin oranges.

Caroling

In Belarus, Christmas is celebrated twice! The Christmas period is called 'Kaliady' (from the Latin for 'calendar') and starts on 25 December when Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas. This date is also when Christmas is celebrated in the UK and US, among other countries. The second date is 7 January, when Christmas is celebrated in the Orthodox Church. This is the date that most people in Belarus celebrate Christmas.

In modern times, caroling groups often sing for charity, and the tradition is particularly popular in churches and neighbourhoods. Caroling is also common in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, where carols are sung by candlelight during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Christmas markets

Dates

Locations

You can find Christmas markets in various locations across Belarus, with the capital city of Minsk being a major hub. In Minsk, the Kastrychnitskaya Square and the area near the Palace of Sports are popular spots for Christmas markets. These markets offer a range of festive treats, gifts, and entertainment.

Things to Do and See

At the Christmas markets in Belarus, you can expect to find a variety of traditional crafts, decorations, and gifts. The local artisans showcase their talents through straw ornaments, wooden figurines, woven flax textiles, ceramics, and even felt boots!

In addition to shopping, the markets also provide a great opportunity to indulge in some delicious food and drinks. You can sample traditional Belarusian dishes, as well as snacks from other cultures, such as Hungarian spit cakes, burgers, and barbecue. To warm yourself up, you can enjoy a cup of mulled wine or try some traditional Belarusian sweets.

Entertainment

Belarusian Christmas markets also feature a range of entertainment options. You can enjoy musical performances by local artists, bands, and DJs. There may also be theatrical performances, processions of fairy-tale characters, and even parades featuring Father Frost and Snow Maidens!

Nearby Attractions

While visiting the Christmas markets, you can also explore nearby attractions. For example, in Minsk, you can visit the Museum of Christmas Decorations, which showcases the history of Christmas decorations from around the world. You can also take a trip to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, where you'll find the residence of the Belarusian Father Frost, complete with the Snow Maiden Tower, the Magic Mill, and the Meadow of Twelve Months.

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