Belarus official holidays

A look at official holidays Belarus, and other festivals and significant days celebrated in the country

15 March - Constitution Day

15 March marks the day in 1994 when Belarus established its new Constitution.

2 April - Union Day of Belarus and Russia

This is the official holiday marking the union of the states of Belarus and Russia. On this day in 1996 the President of Belarus (Alexander Lukashenko) and the then-President of Russia (Boris Yeltsin) signed the Commonwealth agreement of Belarus and Russia in Moscow. One year later, on 2 April 1997, came the agreement to form a Belarus-Russia Union.

2nd Sunday in May - Day of the National Emblem and Flag of Belarus

This holiday is dedicated to the main symbols of the country which embody the ideas of national unity and are the major attributes of sovereignty and independence in Belarus. 

9 May - Victory Day

Victory Day commemorates victory in the World War 2 (known as the Great Patriotic War).

During the war, 25 per cent of the population of Belarus died. The occasion is marked with a large parade in Minsk Victory Square led by war veterans.

3 July - Independence Day

In Belarus, Independence Day is celebrated on 3 July and marks the liberation of Minsk in 1944 from fascist aggressors.

The occasion is marked with a large military parade in Pobeditilei Avenue.   Independence Day demonstrates the achievements of a sovereign Belarus and reminds the people that by suffering great loss, they have won the freedom of their country.

Other holidays and memorable dates in Belarus

Holidays:

1 January: New Year

7 January: Orthodox Christmas

23 February: Fatherland Defenders and Armed Forces day of the Republic of Belarus – a day that pays tribute to servicemen past and present, and recognises all men too.

8 March: Women’s Day – This day was established following the revolution in 1917. In modern Belarus 8 March is a celebration of love and respect toward women.

1 May: Labour Day (Worker’s Day) - International Labour Day is one of the most popular holidays in Belarus. To celebrate there are lots of concerts and public entertainment and many families celebrate with picnics and shashlik barbecues. 

7 November: October Revolution Day

25 December: Catholic Christmas

Memorable dates:

Belarus officially established memorable dates to acknowledge victims of great tragedy and to pay respect to those that died.

9th day after Orthodox Easter: Commemoration Day (Radonitsa) – on this day, people in Belarus usually visit cemeteries to pay respect and lay flowers on the tombs of relatives and friends.

26 April:  Day of Remembrance of the Chernobyl tragedy

22 June: Day of Remembrance of the victims of the Great Patriotic War

Remembrance Day – is a great holiday for Belarusian people. It is called “Dziady”. This holiday is dedicated to the memory of those who died or perished. It is officially celebrated on the 1^st Saturday in November. On this day people remember their dead parents, grandparents and relatives. To express their honour to the dead the Belarusians lay the table with food on this day. It is believed that on Remembrance Day the souls return to the houses they used to live in.

Other Holidays:

Apart from the official holidays in Belarus there are also popular ancient national holidays:   

6 – 7 July: Kupalle – Celebrated over the entire night of 6 July, this holiday is accompanied by songs, dances and traditions such as fire-jumping and night swims. 

Most of the folk holidays are connected with farm work. One, called “Dozhinky”, literally means picking up the last remaining wheat ears in the field. It means that the harvesting time is over. This holiday is five hundred years old. During the holiday people make a show of their work and art.