VITEBSK, 8 January (BelTA) – The folk game Tsiareshka’s Wedding was staged on the Christmas Eve by enthusiasts of the Belarusian national traditions, BelTA has learnt. The unusual ceremony was held on the Lyukshino farm, Lepel District. Participating in the event were more than 50 guests from Lepel, Polotsk, Minsk and other places. The venue for the game was chosen for purpose. The matter is that this folk Christmas game has survived in its authentic form only in Lepel District. “Unlike other areas where people are familiar with this folk game, where this game is staged theatrically, only here in Lepel District the game is part of the local Christmas celebrations," said Olga Makhonenko, the festival organizer and coordinator of the green route "Land of Yellow Water Lilies and Grey Boulders”. It is believed that the history of the folk game Tsiareshka’s Wedding goes back to the times of the Polotsk Principality. The legend says there lived the man Tsiareshka who patronized the loving couples and the family . The essence of the game is to help young girls and men meet each other and get married afterwards. This time the game was performed in accordance with the authentic folk traditions. At first the game participants chose the father and mother, who later played the role of matchmakers introducing fine fellows with beautiful girls. Then the young people got married in a symbolic wedding, which was followed by dances, songs and a variety of games. “Now Tsiareshka’s Wedding is the pride of the Belarusian culture and a full-fledged tourist product,” believes Olga Makhonenko. In 2009, it was included into the list of Belarus’ historical and cultural heritage. Both domestic and foreign ethnographers have shown great interest in this game. Dutch and Polish experts have studied and described the Christmas game, and German filmmakers made the documentary about it. In the near future the Christmas game Tsiareshka’s Wedding may make it to the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.

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