Ancient traditions
Receiving guests
Belarusian festivals
Dranik Fest
Yurausky karahod
100
What is it?
weaving
100
What did people think of an unexpected visitor?
They called them the most welcome visitor because they believed God had sent them to their place.
100
Why is Shklou called "the cucumber capital of Belarus"?
Because almost every resident grows cucumbers, and they have the largest cucumber plantations and best harvest.
100
Where is Dranik Fest usually held?
Dranik Fest is usually held in Mahilou in September.
100
What special bread is baked for the ritual?
The ceremonial bread is called Karahod.
200
Where was the spider usually placed in the house?
Above the table or in the corner where the icon was.
200
What did Belarusians believe would happen to a host who closed the door on a person in need?
They believed that God would punish the host who closed the door for a person in need.
200
What ancient tradition is Svyata Sontsa festival dedicated to?
Kupalle
200
What does this festival celebrate?
It celebrates the most popular dish in Belarus – draniki.
200
What do women weave and put on in the morning?
Women weave and put on flower wreaths.
300
How was a rushnik used for a newborn baby, and why?
A newborn baby was put in a piece of new linen so the baby wouldn't become poor.
300
What did guests usually share with their hosts?
Guests usually shared the latest news they had heard while travelling.
300
What unusual cucumber dishes can visitors try at the Cucumber Day festival?
Cucumber jam, cakes, pies, and lemonade.
300
What workshops can visitors take part in?
Visitors can take part in potato carving workshops.
300
What is buried in the ground during the ceremony?
A piece of brown bread is buried in the ground.
400
How long could a Slutsk belt be, and how long did it take to make one?
Up to 3 metres long; it took about four to five months.
400
Why did Belarusians treat strangers so well? What did they believe?
They believed that if they themselves got into such a situation, other people would treat them in the same way.
400
What theatrical performance takes place at Cucumber Day?
"The Marriage of Mr Cucumber".
400
What competitions are typically held at the festival?
The festival typically holds competitions for making draniki and eating draniki the fastest.
400
What do the participants ask God for?
The participants ask God for a good harvest.
500
How many sides did each belt have, and why was that useful?
Two or four sides, so a man could wear it on four different occasions.
500
Name three animal signs that predicted the arrival of a visitor.
A cat washing itself,
a barking dog,
a spider climbing down its web,
a rooster singing on the gates.
500
Name three activities that take place at the Motalskiya Prysmaki festival.
Farmers' competitions,
culinary workshops,
sports competitions "Motalskiya asilki",
the "Art-kitchen" crafts fair,
Queen Bona Sforza's traditional ball,
the Miss Beauty show
500
What does the festival give people an opportunity to learn about?
It gives people an opportunity to learn more about national Belarusian culture with its dances, songs, crafts, and culinary traditions.
500
Why is Yurauski Karahod under the threat of disappearing?
Because the young leave the village and no one will be able to perform this unique rite in the future.