65 percent of Belarusians will mark 'old New Year'
Around 65 percent of Belarusians support the tradition of celebrating the old New Year in the night of January 14, says a new report released by the Institute of Cultural Research at the Belarus's Culture Ministry.
Researchers found out the people still tend to believe in magic on this night when young girls used to guess about their marriage and the future.
According to culture researchers, the tradition of Old New Year dates back to the Soviet times when a majority of the population regarded this celebration as the final event of the festive season since December 25.
On the Old New Year's Day, people normally dispose of their fir trees decorated for Christmas, while municipal authorities remove decorations, and police reduce the level of alert.
Some 2 percent of Belarusians, including Muslims, Orthodox Jews and others, do not celebrate either the New Year or the Old New Year, notes Interfax.
Researchers found out the people still tend to believe in magic on this night when young girls used to guess about their marriage and the future.
According to culture researchers, the tradition of Old New Year dates back to the Soviet times when a majority of the population regarded this celebration as the final event of the festive season since December 25.
On the Old New Year's Day, people normally dispose of their fir trees decorated for Christmas, while municipal authorities remove decorations, and police reduce the level of alert.
Some 2 percent of Belarusians, including Muslims, Orthodox Jews and others, do not celebrate either the New Year or the Old New Year, notes Interfax.
