Month: August 2014

Forester Mikalaj’s grandchildren, Vjeljamichy 2014.  Унукі лесніка Мікалая, Велямічы 2014 г. A forester working in his yard noticed us as we stood taking photos of Lake Sijatsy and the summer pastures on the other bank.  He approached and we began to chat about the central Polesian wetlands.  Our conversation aroused the curiosity of his grandchildren,… Continue reading Photo of the Day for August 31, 2014

View across Lake Sjatsy to summer pastures, Vjeljamichy 2014.  Від праз возера Сіяцы на летныя пашы, Велямічы 2014 г.

Faces of Machul’ 2014.  Мачуль у тварах 2014 г. Khvjedar (Theodore) and Maryja.  Спадар Хведар і спадарыня Марыя. Neighbors Khvjedar and Maryja were sitting on a nearby bench when we stopped to photograph the three crosses of Machul’ (see photo of the day for August 27), and we chatted amiably. Then two frontier scouts approached… Continue reading Photos of the Day for August 29, 2014

Blessing of pupils for the new school year, Azdamichy 2013.  Дабраславеньне вучняў перад новым школьным годам, Аздамічы 2013 г. At the end of August churches throughout Belarus bless pupils and the new school year.  In Azdamichy Father Aljaksandr traditionally peeforms the blessing for pupils following the liturgy for the feast of the Dormition on August… Continue reading Photo of the Day for August 28, 2014

Crosses of Belarus (part XXI):  Machul’ 2007 and 2014.  Крыжы Беларусі (частка ХХІ):  Мачуль 2007 і 2014 гг. No one in Machul’ remembers why three crosses were placed together at this spot by the River Moustva.  The crosses remain a point of reference for Machulians, and the icons and runners are periodically refreshed.  However, in… Continue reading Photos of the Day for August 27, 2014

Boats along the River Moustva (Mastva), Machul’ 2014.  Лодкі на р. Моўства (Маства), Мачуль 2014 г.  

River Moustva (Mastva), Machul’ 2014.  Рака Моўства (Маства), Мачуль 2014 г.

Machul’ 2014.  Мачуль 2014 г. A tranquil afternoon.  Лянівы дзень.

Machul’ 2014.  Мачуль 2014 г. A husband and wife, busy in their garden, enjoyed the sight of me taking photos of these horses and said that the frisky foal was only two days old.  The mare was less enthusiastic about my approach.

Machul’ 2014.  Мачуль 2014 г. Nestled on the River Moustva (Mastva), the village of Machul’ in the central Pripet Marshes celebrates its five-hundredth anniversary in 2014.  Machulians themselves and inhabitants of neighboring villages consider Machul’ to have an aristocratic identity; indeed, many Machulians are conscious of their roots in the minor nobility of the Grand… Continue reading Photos of the Day for August 22, 2014