Month: May 2013

Near Navahrudak, May 2001.  Навагрудчына, травень 2001 г. The uplands around the central-western city of Navahrudak have a specific light not found elsewhere in Belarus.  Owing to the planting of thick hedges as a snow and wind barrier, in many places it is no longer possible to see these vistas from the road.

Belarus in Faces (part LXXVIII).  Беларусь у тварах (частка LXXVIII). This lady sold cheese with such grace and elegant good humor that I wanted to become a regular customer, but could never find her again. Kamarouski Market, Mjensk 2012.  Камароўка, Менск 2012 год.  

Churches of Belarus (part XXXII):  Orthodox church of the Raising of the Holy Cross, Vistychy 2012.  Цэрквы Беларусі (частка ХХХІІ):  царква Ўзвышэньня Сьвятога Крыжа, Вістычы 2012 год. Father Anatol’ stands in front of his Orthodox parish church of the Raising of the Holy Cross.  A splendid example of Baroque architecture (1678), the structure was built… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 19, 2013

Enduring Faces (part XV), Machul’ 2012.  Выветраныя твары (частка XV), Мачуль 2012 год. Traditional wooden buildings in Belarusian villages resonate with the pride, craftsmanship and hard work of their owners.

Morning in May, Tsjerablichy 2011.  Травеньская раніца, Цераблічы 2011 год.

Kudrychy (Pinsk District), May 2012.  Кудрычы (Пінскі раён), травень 2012 г. I first visited Kudrychy during the spring of 2007:  see photos for April 27 and April 5, 2013.  Kudrychy lies 25 km. east of Pinsk on the Jasjel’da (Ясельда) River, just upstream from the Jasjel’da’s confluence with the Pripet (Prypjats’ – Прыпяць).  Linked to… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 16, 2013

Evening Light in May from the Navahrudak-Mir Road 2001.  Травеньскі вечар з дарогі Навагрудак-Мір 2001 год. The Navahrudak area in central-western Belarus seems to have more expansive vistas and a more expansive sky, and certainly has a different light, that other areas of the country. This photo is from the years when a majority of… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 15, 2013

Radaunitsa (part III), Tsjerablichy New Cemetery 2011.  Радаўніца (частка ІІІ), новыя могілкі, Цераблічы 2011 год. Honoring the memory of one’s forefathers at specific times is a central element of Belarusian culture.  Families who have moved away from their home villages will travel back — sometimes long distances — to clean the family graves in time… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 14, 2013: Radaunitsa III / Радаўніца ІІІ

Radaunitsa (part II), Tsjerablichy Old Cemetery 2011.  Радаўніца (частка ІІ), старыя могілкі ў Цераблічах 2011 год. Radaunitsa, the main Belarusian rite of paying homage at the graves of one’s forefathers, falls on the ninth day after Orthodox Easter (thus May 14 in 2013).  Here, after an open-air liturgy and reading of names of the departed,… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 13, 2013: Radaunitsa II / Радаўніца ІІ

Radaunitsa (part I), Azdamichy 2011.  Радаўніца (частка І), Аздамічы 2011 год. Radaunitsa is the main occasion among several during the year when Belarusians honor their forebears by cleaning the family graves and having them blessed by the parish priest.  The rite, which falls on the ninth day after Orthodox Easter (thus May 14 in 2013),… Continue reading Photo of the Day for May 12, 2013: Radaunitsa І / Радаўніца І