The Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve is home to the European bison (or wisent), a relative of the American bison. Some Belarusians treat colds by drinking vodka spiked with salt and pepper, or milk with an egg yolk and honey. A 15th-century cathedral built in her honour stands in the city of Polotsk. The first Belarusian saint, she is revered today by both Orthodox Christians and Catholics. She transcribed books, initiated the building of churches and monasteries, and founded schools, libraries and orphanages. Saint Efrasinnia of Polotsk (1110-73) was a young princess who became a nun. Many of his paintings draw on images from his home life in Vitebsk. He was born in Vitebsk, north of Minsk, and lived there until his early adulthood. Probably the most famous Belarusian outside the country is artist Marc Chagall. Presenting bread and salt to a visitor is a traditional form of hospitality in Belarus. It is also said that evil spirits follow people in the forest to keep them from finding the magic plant. On Kupalle it is said that if you find a blossoming paparat you will find happiness. Paparat is a fern that grows in the forests of Belarus and rarely flowers. People also bake a special round cake and take the cake and egg to church where they are blessed. In Belarus people dye a single hen's egg red by boiling it with red onion. Painting eggs is an Easter tradition in Eastern Europe. This has caused housing shortages in the uncontaminated areas. In the 16th century, Frances Skaryna of Polotsk translated the Bible into Belarusian, making Belarus the third nation after Germany and Czechoslovakia to have a printed Bible in its own language.įollowing the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, many people had to be evacuated from contaminated areas. There are also eight colleges dedicated to Olympic sports.īelarusian Bibles were some of the first books to be printed in Eastern Europe. Of these, about 120 are dedicated to Olympic sports. There are 482 schools that provide intensive training in sports throughout the country. During the Soviet era, the area was known as Byelorussia, which is the same word, but in the Russian language.īelarus is the third largest producer of tractors in the world.īelarus takes sports training very seriously. An early Soviet cosmonaut, Piotr Klimuk, was from Belarus.īelarus is the country's name in the Belarusian language. But a person might greet a friend in Belarusian and then continue the conversation in Russian.īelarus has long been known as a centre of advanced science and engineering. Russian is primarily spoken in cities, while in rural areas the dominant language is Belarusian. Natasha Zvereva has won several doubles titles with various partners.Īlthough some industries have been privatized, about 60% of Belarus's workforce of more than 5 million is still employed in state-controlled industries.īecause of the use of both Russian and Belarusian, a hybrid language has developed called Trasyanka. Vladimir Voltchkov won the 1996 Junior Wimbledon. What unique things can you discover about Belarus?Ī number of Belarusians play on the international tennis circuit.
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