Photo of the Day for April 30, 2014

Bachelor storks, Tsjerablichy 2013.  Буслы-халасьцякі, Цераблічы 2013 год. Lingering unseasonably cold weather in March 2013 delayed the arrival of storks in Belarus.  The delay caused many storks which would normally have returned to the north of the country to nest instead to halt their migration in Polesia.  As a result many storks were unable to… Continue reading Photo of the Day for April 30, 2014

Photos of the Day for April 29, 2014

Radaunitsa (homage to forefathers and other deceased relatives), Azdamichy 2013.  Радаўніца, Аздамічы 2013 год. There are as many as 11 dates during the cycle of the year when Belarusians formally honor their ancestors and other deceased members of their families.  Radaunitsa, which traditionally falls on the Tuesday nine days after Orthodox Easter, is one of… Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 29, 2014

Photo of the Day for April 28, 2014

Radaunitsa (blessing the graves of forebears or other family members), old cemetery, Tsjerablichy 2013.  One of the two or three most important commemoration rites in the Belarusian cycle of the year, Radaunitsa traditionally falls on the Tuesday nine days after Orthodox Easter, but Tsjerablichy observes the rite on the preceding day. Радаўніца, старыя могілкі, Цераблічы… Continue reading Photo of the Day for April 28, 2014

Photo of the Day for April 27, 2014

Small-holder farming in Belarus:  planting potatoes, Tsjerablichy 2013.  Сямейнае фермерства на Палесьсі:  пасадка бульбы, Цераблічы 2013 год. The potato is a fundamental part of the Belarusian diet.  In late April-early May extended families gather to plant their annual crop of potatoes on the small plots surrounding their houses or, as here, on the small acreage… Continue reading Photo of the Day for April 27, 2014

Photo of the Day for April 26, 2014

Spring Landscapes of the Pripet Marshes: Vjeljamichy 2013.  Веснавыя ландшафты Сярэдняй Прыпяці:  Велямічы 2013 год.

Photo of the Day for April 25, 2014

Spring flood, Vjeras’nitsa 2013.  Last year brought exceptional numbers of storks to the central Pripet (Prypjats’ – Прыпяць) area.  The prolonged spring flood obligingly created the conditions for a bumper number of tasty frogs. Палеская паводка, Верасьніца 2013 год.  

Photo of the Day for April 24, 2014

Spring flood in Polesia: River Moustva (Mastva), Tsjerablichy 2013.  The spring flood remains vital to the health of the Pripet Marshes, Europe’s most extensive wetlands, which have been heavily affected by “amelioration” campaigns (draining of wetlands and construction of dykes) starting in the 1960s and continuing today. Палеская паводка:  рака Моўства (Маства), Цераблічы 2013 год.

Photo of the Day for April 23, 2014

Annual spring flood in the Pripet River (Prypjats’ – Прыпяць) basin of Polesia:  River Moustva (Mastva), Tsjerablichy 2013.  The extent of spring flooding depends mostly on the amount of winter rain and snowfall.  The spring 2013 flood was among the most extensive in recent years. Палеская паводка:  рака Моўства (Маства), Цераблічы 2013 год.

Photos of the Day for April 22, 2014

Feast of the Resurrection, Easter Tuesday (Bright Tuesday), Al’homjel’ (Ohlamjel’) 2013.  Сьвяток Уваскрасеньня Хрыстовага, Альгомель (Огламель) 2013 год. Stations of the Procession.  Хрэсны ход. Blessing of the congregation.  Асьвячэньне вадой. In my experience the parish choir in Al’homjel’ is one of the best in the Stolin District.  З майго вопыту прыходскі хор у Альгомелі адзін… Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 22, 2014

Photo of the Day for April 21, 2014

Feast of the Resurrection, Al’homjel’ 2013.  Сьвяток Уваскрасеньня, Альгомель 2013 год. The celebration of Easter in the Orthodox parish of Al’homjel’ culminates in the feast of the Resurrection on Easter Tuesday (Bright Tuesday). The village’s 1817 church of the Resurrection is a splendid example of Polesian wooden church architecture.  However, the church is too small… Continue reading Photo of the Day for April 21, 2014