Even close neighbors do not know much about Belarus. And people from the “far abroad” are often interested in where this mysterious country is located and what it is like. Belarus is an amazing country with beautiful villages, virgin forests and a friendly, hospitable culture. Here are some interesting facts about Belarus that you need to know!
10. Stork - a symbolic figure in Belarus
The stork has a unique status in this country and is considered its unofficial symbol.. Many Belarusians consider this bird sacred.
There is a legend that the stork used to be a man. God had to give him a bag of snakes and ordered him to be thrown into the pit. However, the man did not know what was hiding the contents of the mysterious bag, and, despite the ban, decided to untie it. The snakes managed to escape and hide. God, seeing the behavior of man, turned his back on him and turned him into a stork, whom he ordered to collect snakes throughout the country.
Belarusians believe that storks build their nests only on the roofs of houses of good people, and when they do, their inhabitants will live happily and long. It is also considered a good omen to see a flying stork in the spring. They say that it brings happiness for the whole year.
And the killing of a stork, according to Belarusians, should lead to disaster. By the way, this bird is also imprinted on coins and government documents of Belarus.
9. Belarusian unemployment
Starting January 1, 2015, unemployment in Belarus qualifies as a crime. President Alexander Lukashenko supported the law on the prohibition of unemployment and proposed restoring the old term “social parasitism”. He also suggests reinstating the punishment of those who deliberately avoid work. It is worth noting that unemployment rate in Belarus is less than 1 percent.
8. The castle complex in Nesvizh
This architectural object is located in the north-eastern part of the city, surrounded by ponds in the Ushi River Valley. The initiative to build a brick castle belongs to the first Nesvizh Order of Mikolai Krzysztof Radziwill “Orphans” (1549–1616).
The first phase of the construction of the castle began in 1583. From 1586 to 1599, Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni led the construction work. The construction was completed at the beginning of the 16th century. A dam about twenty meters high was reinforced with a stone bench.
In the 17th century, four defensive towers were built in the corners of the bastions. The entrance to the castle from the west was protected by a triangular shaft, to which two access roads led. Along the main axis were brick gates with a drawbridge and a three-story castle with small octagonal towers in the corners. On the left side of the gate was a two-story annex, and on the right side there were three-story barracks with a high observation tower.
In addition, the castle complex included a horticultural house, a bakery, a stable and a foundry. The fortress complex was constantly built and rebuilt for several centuries (16-19 centuries), so it combines elements of the medieval, late Renaissance, Baroque, classic and independent architecture of local masters.
7. The Russian language prevails in communication
Belarusian and Russian are considered official languages in Belarus, but only about 10% of citizens use the Belarusian language in everyday communication. Many residents speak trasianka - a mixture of Belarusian and Russian languages.
6. Potato is a staple food for Belarusians
According to statisticians, Belarusians can cook almost two thousand potato dishes. This is more related to the history of the country - in the past, potatoes often saved people from hunger.
Belarusians consume more potatoes per capita than any other country - an estimated 180 kg, which is about half a kilogram per day. Belarusian scientists often invent new varieties of potatoes that differ in taste, color and size.
Belarus ranks seventh in the world in potato production. Here, potatoes are not only a traditional food of the local population, but also another unofficial national symbol. Because of this, the Minsk authorities decided to erect an appropriate monument.
5. Belarusians get double weekends during Christian holidays
Orthodoxy and Catholicism coexist in Belarus as two well-established religions. On this background both Catholic and Orthodox Christmas and Easter celebrate both national holidays.
4. Belovezhskaya Pushcha - the largest and oldest forest in Europe
Belarus has the largest old European forest - Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Bialowieza Forest, the birthplace of the bison and many other animals and birds, is all that remains of the virgin forest, which once stretched across the vast European plain. Some oaks growing in this forest are over 600 years old.
However, Belovezhskaya Pushcha is also notable for the fact that on December 8, 1991, the leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement on the dissolution of the Soviet Union in a hunting hut in the forest.
By the way, almost half of the territory of Belarus consists of forests - this is evidenced by the green stripe on the flag of the country. Belarus is sometimes called the “lung of Europe” because of its countless forests, rivers and lakes. Therefore, if you like to explore beautiful natural landscapes, Belarus is an ideal place for you.
3. High level of confectionery production
Belarus is famous for its variety of sweets, both genuine Belarusian and traditional Soviet. Marshmallows, chocolate, glazed cranberries, condensed milk are popular with locals and visitors from neighboring countries. Marshmallows are made from apple sauce, berry puree, egg white and sugar. All this is then covered with delicious milk chocolate.
Belarusian condensed milk is sweet and very tasty. Two cities compete in the production of this product - Rogachev and Glubokoe, where local residents are divided into two groups: those who love Rogachev’s condensed milk and those who prefer the Glubokoe condensed milk.
2. Largest 13 country in Europe
Minsk is one of the largest European cities, and Belarus is one of the largest countries in Europe. Most foreigners consider Belarus "a small country located somewhere close to Russia ". In fact, Belarus occupies 13th place in Europe from 50 countries by area.
Of course, it is difficult for her to compare with France, Germany or Ukraine. However, some Denmark, Switzerland or the Netherlands - in size resemble the Minsk region. On the territory of Belarus, the whole Baltic States with Belgium or Bulgaria with Hungary could be accommodated. And in terms of population Minsk is on the 10th place in Europe.
1. The Country of Five Nobel Laureates
Belarus is famous for its Nobel laureates. Among them Simon SmithWinner of the 1971 Nobel Prize in Economics, and Zhores AlferovWinner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics. There are also two Nobel Peace Prize winners - Shimon Pereswho received it in 1994, and Menachem Beginwho was awarded the title of laureate in 1998.
Perhaps the most notable of these is Svetlana Alekseevich - The first woman from Belarus to receive the Nobel Prize in 2015 for her services in the field of literature.