Kalyady

Catholics celebrate it from December, 25 to January, 6, for Orthodox Christians this time comes a bit later – it continues from January, 7 to January, 19, when the sun turns its gaze towards spring and the days begin to become longer. People say that "Kalyady” is God’s holiday. It is a jolly time when people are enjoying themselves. "Kalyady” celebrations have ancient pagan traditions. During this holiday groups of merry young boys and girls in smart clothes go from house to house in Belarussian villages and towns. Hosts and hostesses usually treat them with delicious things and thank them for well-wishing and carol-singing.
"Kalyady” is the time when 3 ritual suppers are cooked in every Belarussian home. They are called "Kalyadnaya Kuttzya” (a sort of porridge – kasha – made from barley).
On "Kalyady” Belarusians like to visit each other, celebrate weddings and arrange fairs.
The main idea of this holiday is to get rid of everything bad in one’s life and to begin a new life cycle with joy and optimism.

Notes:
- Each person in the processions during "Kalyady” is called "Kalyadovschik” and has its own role.
- Kalyadnaya Kuttzya could save and protect people’s lives.

KUPALLE

This holiday is usually celebrated on the night of the 7th of July. In my opinion, it is one of the most mysterious holidays in Belarus.
There are a lot of legends and customs connected with this magic holiday. According to one of them, there is a constant struggle between good and evil (dark and light) in our souls. People try to help the forces of light and themselves to defeat the evil, witches and wizards. They light bonfires, dance and sing songs around them.
According to another legend God Yarila is marrying the Earth on this day. Girls gather flowers and weave coronets, which they wear at the holiday and they throw them into the river. The boy who fishes the coronet out of the water will be that girl’s intended. Jumping over the fire when it is blowing happens too. It is an act of purification. The next tradition is searching a magic tern-flower in the forest (it blossoms only once a year as the legend says). And the one who is lucky to find it will master the language of grass, trees, birds and animals and will be happy the rest of his life.
I should mention that many folk songs were composed, but a lot of them have been forgotten by now.