The Cross II/Крыж (частка ІI)
One of the most evocative sights in Belarus is the cross, placed at a village crossroad or along the road in the countryside. I have been inspired to photograph crosses in great part by the timeless ethnographic-photographic study “Беларускія народныя Крыжы” (“Belarusan Folk Crosses”) of Mikhas’ Ramanjuk (1944-1997), published by his son Dzjanis. In my experience Dzjanis Ramanjuk continues to be the best ethnographer-photographer, and one of the best landscape photographers, working in Belarus today.
See also The Cross I, April 29, 2010.
The Orthodox cross in today’s photo is found on the outskirts of the mixed Roman Catholic-Orthodox village of Pras’tsi in Njasvizh District of Mjensk Region. Pras’tsi was a seat of the noble Pratasjevich (Protasewicz) family.
Бачыць у Беларусі крыжы на вясковых скрыжаваньнях ці за горадам уздоўж дарогі – значыць даведвацца пра Беларусь нешта надзвычай важнае. Я пачаў фатаграфаць беларускія крыжы ў вялікай ступені дзякуючы з’яўленьню несьмяротнага этнаграфічна-фатаграфічнага дасьледаваньня “Беларускія народныя крыжы” Міхася Раманюка (1944-1997), выдадзенага яго сынам Дзянісам. Мяркуючы па тым, что я бачыў, Дзяніс Раманюк – адзін з найлепшых у Беларусі сучасных фатографаў-пейзажыстаў.
John -What an eye for stark beauty you have. Peter Ourousoff would be so proud. Keep it up.
Steve
Many thanks.
John,
This Orthodox cross reminds me of hundreds of similar crosses in the Volyn region of Ukraine where my ancestors came from. Volyn, of course, is a close neighbour to Western Belarus and many customs are quite similar. Thanks for posting your photos.