What does Belarusian Christmas look like? Christmas is celebrated twice!

Find out who brings gifts to children in Belarus.

And do you know why there are two Christmases here?

When is Christmas in Belarus?

Christmas in Belarus comes second. People here consider the New Year to be much more important than Christmas. This is due to the country’s political history and Russian influence. Currently, however, the popularity of Christmas is returning, although it still does not have the same weight as the already mentioned New Year.

In Belarus, the time over Christmas and New Year is called ‘Kaliady’ (this means calendar in Latin, and the name comes from the old pre-Christian/pagan winter solstice celebrations).

When Belarus was part of the Soviet Union, Kaliady and Christmas were not celebrated very much, if at all. New Year was made into an important celebration. But now, Christmas celebrations are returning, although New Year is still the most significant holiday.

Christmas is more complicated in Belarus. Two Christmases are going on here. Protestants and Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, while members of the Orthodox Church do not celebrate until January 7. That is, from January 6 to January 7, with January 7 being a national holiday in Belarus.

In Belarus, in addition to two Christmases, they celebrate two New Years. How is it possible? While waiting for theirs, they can watch the TV broadcast from Moscow, where the New Year starts an hour earlier due to time zones.

Decoration and tree

Cities are decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments. Belarus also has a Christmas tree, although it is not tied until New Year’s Day. In the same way, gifts are put under the tree, or people exchange them on New Year’s Eve. It can be said that what you imagine as Christmas is done on New Year’s in Belarus.

What to eat for Christmas in Belarus

A traditional dish is Kućcia (Kuťa), similar to what is eaten at Christmas in Ukraine or Poland. Twelve dishes are served on the Christmas Eve table. Twelve indicates the number of apostles; it can also mean the twelve months of the year. In addition to traditional Kuti, mushrooms, fruits, fish, pancakes, and sour fruit desserts are eaten. No meat or fatty foods are consumed.

The traditional Olivier potato salad must also be on the New Year’s and Christmas Eve table. Although it originated in Russia, it has become a traditional Christmas delicacy in Belarus. If you want to make a salad that even has a name, here is the recipe.

Olivier salad recipe

Ingredients:

• potatoes (around 18 oz)
• eggs 2-3
• chicken (chicken breast is suitable; one is enough)
• 1 onion
• 4 pickles
• 1 glass of sterilized carrots
• 1 can of sterilized peas
• 4 spoons of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of mustard

Recipe procedure:

1. Hard-boil your eggs.
2. Boil the potatoes in their skins.
3. Cook the chicken. (To make it taste better, cook it with root vegetables as a stock.)
4. After cooling, peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes.
5. After the eggs have cooled, peel them and cut them into pieces.
6. Finely chop the onion, pickles, and cooked chicken.
7. Put everything in a large, deep bowl and mix.
8. Drain the carrots and peas and mix in a bowl.
9. Add mayonnaise and mustard.
10. Add salt to taste.

In some places, ham is given instead of chicken, and compote pears are added. Here you can see that, just like here, every family adjusts their potato salad according to their taste.

Who brings presents at Christmas in Belarus?

Children receive gifts for the New Year. New Year is also when ‘Father Frost’ (known in Belarus as Dzied Maroz/Ded Moroz or Дзед Мароз) brings presents to children. He is often accompanied by his Granddaughter (Snegurochka). Some children might also have a visit from Sviaty Mikalaj (Святы Мікалай) – St Nicholas.

Belarusian Christmas traditions and customs

See which customs and traditions are still observed at Christmas in Belarus.

Hay under the tablecloth

Many families put hay under the tablecloth as a reminder that Jesus was born on the hay on which he was also cradled. This originally pagan custom was also supposed to ensure a rich harvest for the following year.

A candle on the table

In Belarus, at least one candle is lit on the table during the festive dinner. It is supposed to symbolize the light of Bethlehem.

Mass in the church

Many people go to church after the festive dinner for the Christmas service. There is a lovely custom here that during this joyous season, all Catholics are equal. This means that even members of the Orthodox Church can come to the Christian church to listen to mass.

Visits at Christmas

People visit each other very often at Christmas; it belongs to the holidays, just like here. There is even a superstition that says you must be the first man to enter the house you are visiting. If she followed proper etiquette as the first wife, she would bring misfortune to the house.

Some people prefer to spend Christmas outside of Belarus. This is because they often have relatives in Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia, and they visit them for Christmas. On the contrary, people, especially from large Russian cities, are fleeing the Christmas rush to Belarus.

Belarusian Christmas carols

The tradition of caroling is kept mainly in villages. Not allowed in cities. Dressing in different costumes, playing games, and singing cheerful songs are held here as protection against evil forces. People go from house to house dressed like this. Sometimes, they even wear animal masks and costumes.