Belarus was once part of a huge, ethnically contrasting state. As part of this state, national holidays were celebrated, demonstrations and large-scale celebrations took place.
Over time, everything has changed, Belarus is already living an independent life.
But how did such changes affect the country's holiday calendar?
A little bit about the country
Belarus gained its independence in the summer of 1991. A unitary form of government was established in it, and its unchanging head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, has still held this high-ranking post.
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.
Major Holidays
The continuity of the Belarusian people with the countries of the former USSR influenced the fact that many holidays that were once celebrated as part of a great state have survived 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 are no long ten-day holidays dedicated to 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 - October Revolution Day.
These days are officially considered holidays.
National holidays
National holidays are “red” calendar dates that have important historical and social significance within the framework of the Republic of Belarus.
- March 15 - Constitution Day. The holiday begins its existence on the day of the adoption of the main body of laws of the state - the Constitution, namely March 15, 1994.
- April 2 - the triumph of the unity of the peoples of Belarus and Russia. Perhaps, if you conduct a survey among the population, asking: "What holiday in Belarus is one of the main and significant?" - most people will call this particular holiday. On April 2, 1996, a significant event for the country took place - the signing of the Treaty on the Community of Belarus and Russia in Moscow, which was concluded by the heads of two states - Yeltsin and Lukashenko.
- The 2nd May Sunday is the day of the national flag and coat of arms, symbols of unity, independence of the country.
- July 3 is Independence Day. This event is timed to 1944, when the Belarusian capital was completely liberated from enemy occupiers. On this day, Belarusians remember the fallen liberators who sacrificed themselves for the prosperity of not only the nation, but the whole of humanity. The celebration is accompanied by a solemn procession along one of the main streets of Minsk.
- The night of July 6-7 is one of the national holidays of Belarus - Kupalye. On this holiday, Belarusians recall 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 kinds of professions. These days are not days off.
- January 5 marks the holiday of social security workers.
- January 19 - Day of the Ministry of Emergencies.
- The last Sunday of January is the Day of Science of the Republic of Belarus.
- January 25 - Day of university students.
- February 21 - Day of specialists in land and cartography.
- February 23 - Defender of the Fatherland Day.
- March 4 is a date dedicated to honoring the police.
- The fourth March Sunday - Housing and Utilities Day.
Professional holidays in Belarus in April:
- The first Sunday of April is a date related to geologists.
- The second April Sunday is the day of air defense troops.
- April 8 is a holiday for employees of military commissariats.
Holidays in May in Belarus:
- May 7 Radio Day is celebrating.
- The last Sunday of May marks the professional holiday of chemists.
Among others:
- The second Sunday of June - light industry workers celebrate their day.
- The third Sunday of June is a date dedicated to medical professionals.
- June 26 - Day of the prosecutor.
- June 30 - the date of employees of economic activity is celebrated.
- On the second Sunday of July, Tax Service Day is celebrated.
- The third Sunday of July is called the Day of Workers of the Metallurgical Industry.
- July 25 is a holiday for firefighters.
- Last Sunday of July - trade workers celebrate their day.
- The first Sunday of August - celebrate the professional triumph of the railway workers.
- The first Sunday of September - workers of the gas, fuel and oil industries celebrate their holiday.
- The second Sunday of September is Tanker Day.
- September 20 is a state holiday of customs services, as well as the Day of Forestry.
- The last Sunday of September is Engineering Day.
- The first Sunday of 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, residents of the Republic honor the memory of the victims of World War II, as well as those who died from other disasters.
- May 9 is the celebration of the Great Victory. This holiday in May in Belarus is also highly revered, as in Russia.
- The 9th day after Easter is called Radunitsa. At this time, it is customary to recall the dead. People visit cemeteries, tidy the graves.
- April 26 is the date of the Chernobyl disaster.
- On June 22, Belarusians honor and commemorate the victims of the beginning of World War II.
- February 15 is a tribute to the memory of internationalist warriors.
Orthodox and Catholic holidays
Belarusians who respect the faith and honor Orthodox or Catholic holidays never miss such great holidays as:
- Easter holiday;
- April 7 - Day of the Holy Virgin;
- April 12 - Catholic Easter;
- December 25 - Catholics celebrate Christmas;
- January 19 - Baptism;
- From February 21 and for 7 days, Maslenitsa is celebrated.
Major church holidays are listed here. However, the Orthodox calendar represents many days of veneration of saints.
Do Belarusians rest on holidays?
Unlike in Russia, where the holidays are a reason to once again have a day off, Belarus looks at it a little differently.
For example, if the holiday coincides with the weekend - Saturday or Sunday, then the next weekday is a working day, and the weekend is not transferred to it.
Or, if the holiday fell in the middle of the working week, then the weekdays following the holiday are turned into non-working days, but on the condition that they will be worked out on Saturday of the next week.
May holidays in Belarus, as well as New Year's celebrations, operate on the same principle.