Language/Belarusian/Culture/New-Year's
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As a Belarusian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am thrilled to teach you about Belarusian customs and traditions related to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. In Belarus, New Year's is an eagerly awaited holiday celebrated among family and friends with feasting and merrymaking. Studying these traditions and customs is the perfect opportunity to get a closer look at Belarusian culture.
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Famous Folktales & Belarusian Mythology.
New Year's Eve Customs
New Year's Eve, also known as "Сматрычы" in Belarusian, is a unique holiday that represents the end of the old year and the start of a new one. In Belarus, this occasion is usually celebrated with family and friends by attending lavish parties and dancing to music. Here are some of the customs that Belarusians follow during New Year's Eve:
- Dress up in your best attire: Belarusian women wear beautiful dresses, and men often dress up in traditional costumes.
- Decorate the house: In Belarus, people decorate their homes with holiday lights, hang ornaments and garlands, and set up a beautifully decorated New Year's Tree (Ёлка).
- Watch the President's New Year's address: At 11 PM on New Year's Eve, Belarusians tune in to watch the President's address, a speech that talks about the accomplishments of the past year and the hopes for the coming one
- Make a wish and toast to the new year: At midnight, people celebrate with a champagne toast and make a wish for the coming year. Often, children light sparklers, and people launch fireworks from balconies and rooftops
New Year's Day Customs
New Year's Day is a time for relaxation and enjoyment. Belarusians usually spend the day with their families and friends, enjoying festive meals and watching TV. Here are some customs related to New Year's Day:
- Get a "Good Start": It is believed that the first thing you do on New Year's day will set the tone for the rest of the year. Therefore, people try to do something symbolic and positive, such as taking a walk in the snow, lighting candles or incense, and preparing a special meal.
- Walk through the streets: People go out for a walk to enjoy the winter wonderland, visit markets, and admire holiday decorations
- Singing New Year's songs: Belarusians sing festive New Year's songs, signifying prosperity, well-being, and love.
- Moscow's Winter Journey: This traditional song is a must during the New Year's Day celebrations. The song tells the story of a man's journey to Moscow during wintertime, and his encounters along the way.
Vocabulary
Here is some vocabulary you can use to talk about New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Belarusian:
| Belarusian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Сматрычы | smatrychy | New Year's Eve |
| Ёлка | yolkah | Christmas tree |
| Шампанскае | shampanskaye | Champagne |
| Феерверк | feyerwerk | Fireworks |
| Здароўя | zdarouya | Health |
| Щасце | shtaste | Happiness |
| Любоў | lyubou | Love |
I hope you enjoyed learning about Belarusian customs and traditions related to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Knowing about these cultural events is an essential part of learning the Belarusian language because it enhances your understanding of the people and their way of life. Use these new phrases to celebrate like a native Belarusian and take part in the festivities!
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