Photos of the Day for May 31, 2011: Radaunitsa III / Радаўніца ІІІ

Radaunitsa III.  Радаўніца (частка ІІІ). Incorporating deep pre-Christian rites, Radaunitsa is one of the most important festivals of the year to honor one’s forefathers.  The focus is on cleaning the graves of one’s forefathers and having them blessed by the local priest.  In most places, as here in the Central Polesian village of Azdamichy, Radaunitsa… Continue reading Photos of the Day for May 31, 2011: Radaunitsa III / Радаўніца ІІІ

Photo of the Day for May 30, 2011: Radaunitsa II / Радаўніца ІІ

Radaunitsa II.  Радаўніца (частка ІІ). Incorporating deep pre-Christian rites, Radaunitsa is one of the most important festivals of the year to honor one’s forefathers.  Many people attend a church or chapel service, but the focus is on cleaning the graves of one’s forefathers and having them blessed by the local priest.  In most places, as… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 30, 2011: Radaunitsa II / Радаўніца ІІ

Photo of the Day for May 24, 2011: The Loom III / Кросны ІІІ

The Loom III.  Кросны (частка ІII). In previous generations the loom was an essential Polesian household fixture.  But weaving was an arduous task.  Granny Vul’ljana recalls how women and girls would exhaust themselves weaving long into winter nights to produce enough cloth for the coming year.  Now, she notes, only three looms remain in the… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 24, 2011: The Loom III / Кросны ІІІ

Photo of the Day for May 23, 2011

A bow to Belarusan National Poet Ryhor Baradulin and master artist Ljavon Vol’ski.  Паклон Народным паэтам Рыгору Барадуліну й мастаку Лявону Вольскаму. Белая яблыня грому Белая яблыня грому Чорных cадоў ліхалецця. Яблык яе нікому Не пажадаю на свеце. Голая яблыня грому Жахам жагнала прысмерк. Пэўна, што д’яблу самому Помніцца горкі прысмак. Светлая яблыня грому З… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 23, 2011