Holidays in Belarus: description, history and features

Belarus was once part of a huge, ethnically contrasting state. As part of this state, national holidays were celebrated, demonstrations took place, large-scale celebrations took place.

Over time, everything has changed, Belarus is already living an independent life.

But how did such changes affect the calendar of the holidays of the country?

A bit about the country

In the summer of 1991, Belarus acquired its independence. It established a unitary form of government, and its unchanging head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, occupies this high-ranking post until now.

The territorial neighbors of Belarus are the Baltic countries - Latvia and Lithuania, Poland, as well as the Slavic lands of Russia and Ukraine.

The population of the country is Belarusians, overwhelmingly 83%, then Russians, Poles, Ukrainians. A small percentage are foreign citizens of different European countries.

Main Holidays

The continuity of the Belarusian people with the countries of the former USSR influenced the fact that many festivals that once were part of the great state remained on the territory of the state. They also include the main holidays celebrated by most countries.

• January 1 - New Year. A distinctive feature is that in Belarus there is no long ten-day vacation timed for the celebration of the New Year and Christmas. Non-working days are December 31 and January 1, as well as January 7. All other days are working.
• January 7 - Christmas.
• March 8 - International Women's Day.
• May 1 - Day of Peace, Spring and Labor.
• November 7 is the Day of the October Revolution.

These days are officially considered days off.

National holidays

National holidays are "red" calendar dates, which have important historical, as well as social significance within the framework of the Republic of Belarus.

• March 15 - Constitution Day. The holiday takes its beginning on the day of the adoption of the basic code of laws of the state - the Constitution, namely March 15, 1994.
• April 2 is the triumph of the unity of the peoples of Belarus and Russia. Perhaps, if we conduct a survey among the population, asking: "Which holiday in Belarus is one of the main and significant?" - most people will call this holiday. April 2, 1996 there was a significant event for the country - the signing in Moscow of the Treaty on the Community of Belarus and Russia, which was concluded by the heads of two states - Yeltsin and Lukashenko.
• The 2 nd May resurrection is the day of the national flag and coat of arms, symbols of unity, independence of the country.
• July 3 is the Independence Day. This event was timed to 1944, when the Belarusian capital was completely liberated from enemy invaders. On this day the Belarusians remember the fallen liberators who sacrificed themselves for the sake of prosperity not only for the nation, but for all mankind. The celebration is accompanied by a solemn procession along one of the main streets of Minsk.
• The night from 6 to 7 July is one of the national holidays of Belarus - Kupala. On this holiday Belarusians remember ancient national rites, folk songs and dances, dance, dance in the river and, most importantly, jump over the fire. National holidays in Belarus are celebrated, accompanied by solemn demonstrations and processions.

Professional holidays of the country

As in Russia, holidays in Belarus can be devoted to various professions. These days are not weekends.

• On January 5, the holiday of employees of social protection is dismissed.
• January, 19 - Day of service of the Ministry of Emergency Measures.
• The last Sunday of January is the Day of Science of the Republic of Belarus.
• January 25 - Day of students of universities.
• February 21 - Day of experts in land and cartography.
• February, 23 - Day of the defender of Fatherland.
• March 4 - the date, timed to the commemoration of the police.
• The fourth March resurrection is the Day of Housing and Communal Services employees.

Professional holidays in Belarus in April:

• The first Sunday in April is a date related to geologists.
• The second Sunday in April is the day of the air defense forces.
• April 8 is a holiday of employees of military commissariats.

Holidays in May in Belarus:

• May 7 is the Day of Radio.
• Last Sunday in May celebrate the professional holiday chemists.

Among others:

• The second Sunday in June - workers of light industry celebrate their day.
• The third Sunday in June is a date dedicated to medical workers.
• June 26 - Prosecutor's Day.
• June 30 - the date of the employees of economic activity is marked.
• The second Sunday in July marks the Day of Tax Services.
• The third Sunday of July is called the Day of Workers of the Metallurgical Industry.
• July 25 - a holiday of fire department workers.
• The last Sunday of July - mark the day workers of trade.
• The first Sunday of August - celebrate the professional celebration of railwaymen.
• The first Sunday in September - workers of the gas, fuel and oil industry celebrate their holiday.
• The second Sunday in September is Tankman Day.
• September 20 is the state holiday of customs services, as well as the Day of Forestry.
• The last Sunday of September is the Day of the Machine Builder.
• The first Sunday in October is Teacher's Day.

Along with the Russian holidays of military services, these celebrations also take place in Belarus. The dates of their celebration coincide with the Russian dates.

Memorable dates

Every year the inhabitants of the Republic revere the memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War, as well as those who died from other catastrophes.

• May 9 is the Great Victory Day. This holiday in May in Belarus is also highly esteemed, as in Russia.
• The 9th day after Easter is called Radunitsa. At this time it is customary to remember the deceased. People visit cemeteries, put in order graves.
• April 26 - the date of the Chernobyl disaster.
• On June 22, Belarusians revere and commemorate the victims of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
• February 15 - a tribute to the memory of internationalist soldiers.

Orthodox and Catholic holidays

Belorussians, with respect to the faith and worshiping Orthodox or Catholic holidays, never miss such great holidays as:

• Feast of Holy Easter;
• April 7 - The Day of the Holy Virgin;
• April 12 - Catholic Easter;
• December 25 - Catholics are having Christmas;
• January 19 - Baptism;
• Pancake Day is celebrated on February 21 and within 7 days.

Here are listed major church holidays. However, the Orthodox calendar represents many days of veneration of the saints.

Do Belarusians rest for holidays?

In contrast to the same Russia, where holidays are an occasion to arrange a day off, in Belarus they look at it a little differently.

For example, if the holiday coincides with the weekend - Saturday or Sunday, the next weekday is working day, and the day off can not be postponed.

Or, if the holiday falls on the middle of the working week, then weekdays that go after the holiday, turn into non-working, but with the condition that they will be worked out on Saturday next week.

May holidays in Belarus, as well as New Year celebrations, operate on the same principle.