We should start with a little bit of explanation about the winter holidays' traditions - it's a bit different from the rest of the countries. As a multiconfessional state, we celebrate both X-mases - Catholic and Orthodox, therefore 25th of December and 7th of January will always be days off for everyone. But the most 'intense' celebrations happen late in the night on the 31st of December - here we love the New Year's Eve when the chimes strike and we make a wish while counting down the last seconds to the new year's dawn. Yet the 31st of December is a working day, so don't be surprised if you get an exam scheduled this day (although it's not very likely). But you can totally rest on the 1st of January - it will definitely be the quietest morning in the next 365 days while everyone will be asleep after the long night's celebrations. So, in general, there will be time to get some rest between the exams, but we don't have long Christmas holidays, like in Germany, for example, and we don't plunge into a 15-days-off-for-holidays spree, like in Russia. Students here get a break later on after they pass their exams - at the end of January-beginning of February. But still, there's plenty of things to enjoy!
FAIRS
The holiday season starts with the fairs all over Minsk - and in the non-capital cities as well. There's music, food courts and stands with different souvenirs and gifts. For the last couple of years, Belarus is known for one of the most beautiful X-mas trees in Europe - it towers near the city's historical centre on the bank of the river Svislotch on the grounds of the biggest fair. The tree is also an eco-friendly project because no real trees are used in it. You should visit the nearest fair and grasp some holiday mood between burying your nose back into the textbooks.
X-MAS AND NEW YEAR'S SHOWS AND CELEBRATIONS
Minsk is known for many kinds of holiday-themed shows and events. Musicals, theatre plays, concerts and brilliant shows on the ice. The good thing is that some of them are staged for quite a long period of time, and there will still be something for you to enjoy at the end of January. And the best part is that some of the events are free of charge and actually happen outside for everyone to enjoy. If you don't have any specific plans for New Year's Eve, then grab your friends and head to the nearest fair - you are sure to find there a lot of happy people, music, contests, dances and fireworks at midnight. Just make sure you put on some warm clothes.
SNOW FUN
Usually, we get lots of snow and cold temperatures in Belarus so there are always winter sports activities like skiing, tubing and ice-skating. A lot of open-air ice-rinks are being put up in the city, and our local skiing resorts in Raubichi, Silichy, and Logoisk become crowded with skiing fans. It is a perfect way to spend your day in the fresh air, enjoy sporting activities and blow the last speck of study materials out of your head :)
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
Winter holidays are a perfect reason for you and your
classmates to get together. International students often use this opportunity
to share winter traditions, cultural heritage and national cuisines from all
over the world. Such events gather a lot of students and teachers and warm up
the cold winter evenings.
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