Patrimony of Belarus.
Photo survey of the patrimony of Valozhyn District (2016): Makarynjata, Padbjarez’, Dudy, Antseljeushchyna, Aljanava, Hirbinjata, Vojshtavichy.
Спадчына Беларусі.
Фотавандроўка па спадчыне Валожынскага раёна (2016 г.): Макарынята, Падбярэзь, Дуды, Анцэлеўшчына, Алянава, Гірбінята, Войштавічы.
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis / The cross stands firm while the world turns / Крыж стаіць, пакуль сьвет паварочваецца
The motto of the Carthusians is as fundamental today as ever before. And in Belarus roadside crosses and cemetery crosses are fundamental to the national culture, not only as a statement of our Christian faith but also as a vital, inseparable element of the Belarusian landscape.
I first happened on Vojshtavichy by chance in 2007 after attending the celebratory Mass for the March 25 patronal feast of the Annunciation in the Roman Catholic church in Vishnjeva of Valozhyn District (the church was subsequently renamed the church of the Visitation). Even then Vojshtavichy stood out for the number of roadside crosses which its inhabitants had erected along the main street. At that time I managed to photograph only a few of the crosses.
Long wishing to record all of the village’s crosses, I returned in 2016 with that aim.
Crosses of Belarus (part CXLII): the crosses of Vojshtavichy (III/III).
Крыжы Беларусі (частка CXLII): крыжы Войставічаў (III/III).
The next two crosses…
Далейшыя два крыжы…
Individuality in fences and a homeowner’s care in keeping his fence in good order are defining elements of Belarusian small-town life. Here Ihar rebuilds his fence while his wife Anja collects the mail.
Індывідуальнасьць у платах ды акуратнасьць у гаспадарцы адметныя рысы беларускага вясковага жыцьця. Пакуль спадар Ігар пільна перабудуе плот, яго жонка Аня сабірае пошту.
Belarus in faces: Ihar and Anya.
Беларусь у тварах: Ігар і Аня.
The final four crosses at the top of the village.
Апошнія крыжы на верхняй (паўночна-усходняй) ускрайне вёскі.
