Month: April 2016

Easter morning procession, Roman Catholic parish of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Iuje 2016.  Early mornings are still chilly when western Easter falls at the end of March, as it did this year (March 27).  However, dawn opened up with bright sunshine, which added a special glow to the procession route. Велікодная працэсія, парафія Сьвятых… Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 20, 2016

Assembling the Easter morning procession, Roman Catholic church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Iuje 2016.  Падрыхтоўка да велікоднай працэсіі, Іўе 2016 г.   Easter morning, Iuje 2016.  Раніцай на Вялікдзень. Іўе 2016 г.   Lining up for the procession.  Фарміраваьнье працэсіі, Іўе 2016 г.

Churches of Belarus (part CXLIV):  Roman Catholic church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Iuje 2016. After a three-year gap, it was a great pleasure to return for the Holy Saturday blessing of Easter foods and for Easter Sunday to the vibrant parish of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Iuje. Касьцёлы Беларусі (частка CXLIV): … Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 18, 2016

The village of Tsjerablichy lost two of its beloved grannies in March, Nadzja Jaromich and (see photos of the day for yesterday, April 16) Katsjaryna Kardash. Nadzja Jaromich (1921) died March 18.  She carried herself with dignity, resilience, a shy smile and a calm and thoughtful gaze.  Condolences to her family and friends and to… Continue reading Nadzja Jaromich (1921-2016) / Бабуля Надзя Яроміч (1921-2016)

The village of Tsjerablichy lost two of its beloved grannies in March, Katsjaryna Kardash and (see photos of the day for tomorrow, April 17) Nadzja Jaromich. Katsjaryna Kardash (1921) died on March 6.  She always left a wonderful impression with her clear gaze, proper posture, industriousness, and combination of quiet, firm dignity and gentle wit. … Continue reading Katsjaryna Kardash (1921-2016) / Бабуля Кацярына Кардаш (1921-2016)

Iryna Ljashkjevich is a wonderful teacher, leader of the renowned children’s folklore ensemble “Z’hadka”, poet and local historian from Machul’ in the central Pripet area of Polesia.  In 2014, she invited me to photograph five generations of her family together, including her beloved grandparents Jan and Vol’ha.  Several days ago, Iryna sent the sad news… Continue reading Vol’ha Ljashkjevich / Бабуля Вольга Ляшкевіч

Rhythms and rites of approaching spring (X/X):  pruning the orchard, Tsjerablichy 2016.  Рытмы й абрады надыходзячай вясны (Х/Х):  уборка саду, Цераблічы 2016 г. No matter how attached one becomes to certain trees, the time comes — usually just before spring — when one has to cut them down.  In the late 1930s or at the… Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 14, 2016

Rhythms and rituals of approaching spring (IX/X):  self-cleaning beehives.  On the verge of spring, honeybees clean their hives of dead bees. Рытмы й абрады надыходзячай вясны (ІХ/Х):  самаўборка вульлёў.

Rhythms and rituals of approaching spring (VIII/X):  building and repairing fences. “Good fences make good neighbors,” as Robert Frost noted in his laconic, ironic New England voice.  Fences in Belarus show the homeowners’ pride in neatness and order — prized general values in a village — but also their individuality. Рытмы й абрады надыходзягай вясны… Continue reading Photos of the Day for April 12, 2016

Rhythms and rituals of approaching spring (VII/X):  preparing the fields for planting potatoes.  Рытмы й абрады надыходзячай вясны (VII/X):  падрыхтоўка палёў да пасадкі бульбы.   Guarded by two fierce geese.  Гусы на варце.