National traditions of Belarus. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Belarus is a relatively small country, so it remains an undiscovered spot on the map for many foreign travelers. There are more than 11,000 lakes in the country, as well as five large rivers, namely, the Neman, Dnepr, Sozh, Berezina, and Pripyat. Broadleaved and pine woodlands occupy approximately 42% of the country’s territory. Belarus is a very friendly and safe country for foreign travelers. Citizens of 74 countries do not require a visa to stay in the country for 30 days. The maximal no-visa stay in Belarus is equal to 90 days per the calendar year.

Grodno is one of the mind-blowing medieval cities with cobbled streets and gorgeous squares, old churches, and interesting landmarks. The city is located not far from the borders with Poland and Lithuania. Tourists never stop amazing how clean and tidy the city is. Charming streets, comfortable squares with numerous ATMs, flowerbeds along streets and parks, and interesting decorations on pavements add special charm to Grodno. “Blooming Belarus” and national pride linger in the air of this gorgeous city. Minsk is the capital of the country. This is a prosperous and modern megalopolis with numerous shops and restaurants. For tourists, it will be also interesting to visit Polatsk – the oldest city in Belarus famous for its architectural landmarks. Soviet architecture, numerous monuments of that period, museums, theaters, and parks coexist peacefully with old churches.

The countryside is no less beautiful in Belarus. Lush local nature, green fields, woodlands with pines and silver birches, and an endless ocean of golden wheat are worth looking at. Local roads are of great quality, so it is comfortable to rent a car and explore the country this way. Villages in the country attract foreign tourists with traditional wooden houses that are colored in many colors. Lush gardens with fruit trees create an idyllic atmosphere that so many residents of big cities crave for. Local people are friendly, cheerful, and are very hospitable. They are always glad to see foreign guests. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Perhaps, Khatyn is the most famous World War II monument in Belarus for foreign travelers. This forest village was completely destroyed by the Nazis because local people supported partisans. The memorial complex represents 186 similar villages that were destroyed by the German troops in Belarus. The giant statue of an exhausted partisan holding a dead child is a reminder of the tragedy that happened in the country. Each chimney pot has a bell that tolls for the people who died during World War II.

Brest Fortress is a historic landmark that definitely deserves a visit. The history of Brest is tightly connected with the history of Central and Eastern Europe. The city is mentioned in annals in the 11th century for the first time. Later, it became a part of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the 16th century, the city was a part of The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. After the war with Napoleon, it was decided to rebuild Brest and make a better fortress. Because of that, the original city was nearly completely destroyed. A new city was built approximately 2 kilometers to the east. However, it didn’t exist long because the retreating Russian army burned down the city’s buildings. In Brest, it is not hard to find a proficient enthusiast – a local guide who will tell the history of the famous landmark in an entertaining and exciting way. The impressive building was transformed into a Soviet memorial after World War II. The squares of the fortress have several monuments dedicated to the deceased soldiers.

Nevertheless, a big part of the country’s history is filled with sorrow and will eternally stay in the memory of the country’s residents. Belarus lost a quarter of its population in World War II, so every city in the country has traces of those dark times. Despite the fact that the country was significantly destroyed during the World War II period, there are still centuries-old castles and historic towns that give travelers a glimpse of Belarus during the pre-Soviet epoch. The architecture of many cities is an interesting mix of Polish, Slavic, and Soviet styles that create a truly unique result.

It took centuries to form local cuisine. If you want to understand another nation, it is important to try the national cuisine of that nation. The most popular products in Belarus are the following: pork, homemade sausages, bacon, beef, freshwater fish, milk, and dairy products. Belarus cuisine is famous far beyond the borders of the country. Perhaps, tourists will simply not have enough time to try all traditional national dishes. It should be noted that it is possible to eat not only Belarusian cuisine but also many other cuisines of the world in Minsk. It is possible to spend some quality time with friends and family in authentic cafes, luxurious restaurants, and open-air terraces. Cozy wine bars and loud pubs, as well as many other interesting venues, are perfectly suitable for all travelers who want to get acquainted with local culture through cuisine.