Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays, established in honor of the birth in the flesh of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary.

In the hierarchy of holidays of the Russian Orthodox Church, Christmas ranks second after Easter. It is preceded by a 40-day Christmas fast, the week of the forefathers, the week of fathers, a special Saturday before Christmas, the forefeast and Christmas Eve, and Christmas continues with afterfeast and Christmastide.On the eve of Christmas and on the holiday itself, in addition to the Christmas theme described in the Gospel, Old Testament prototypes of this event are also revered - for example, the salvation of three youths in the Babylonian oven, which became a prototype of the incarnation of the Son of God from the Virgin Mary and their glorification of God, the amazement of King Nebuchadnezzar with his satraps the occasion of their salvation. Also in church hymns there are praises of God by angels and shepherds, and the worship of the wise men who came with gifts to Jesus Christ.

New Year is the main calendar holiday that occurs at the moment of transition from the last day of the current year to the first day of the next year. Celebrated by many peoples in accordance with the accepted calendar.

The beginning of the year on January 1 was established by the Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC. In Ancient Rome, this day was dedicated to Janus - the god of choice, doors and all beginnings. January got its name in honor of the god Janus, who was depicted with two faces: one looking forward and the other looking back.On January 1, the New Year began to be celebrated for the first time in 153 BC. e., since from this day the Roman consuls took office. In 46 BC. e. The Roman commander and high priest Gaius Julius Caesar introduced his new calendar (“Julian”) and finally approved the beginning of the year from January 1, 45 BC. e. It was under Caesar, under the influence of astrology, that the New Year's holiday acquired the independent meaning of a time mark for the beginning of the year, and thus marked the beginning of the civil year.

Mother's Day, celebrated around the world on various dates, is a poignant reminder of the immeasurable love and selfless sacrifices that mothers provide throughout our lives. This cherished occasion is an opportunity to express gratitude, affection, and deep appreciation for the women who have played pivotal roles in our upbringing and personal growth. In this essay, we delve into the significance of Mother's Day, its historical roots, the universal essence of motherhood, and the profound impact mothers have on our lives.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mother's Day is its universality. Regardless of cultural backgrounds, languages, or traditions, the love and sacrifices of mothers are universally understood and cherished. Motherhood transcends borders and resonates deeply with people around the world, emphasizing the innate bond between a mother and her child.

Mother's Day provides a dedicated opportunity for children, families, and friends to express their love and appreciation for their mothers. Simple gestures such as handwritten cards, bouquets of flowers, or heartfelt messages carry profound significance, reminding mothers that their sacrifices and unwavering love are deeply valued.

Arguably, one of the most extraordinary qualities of mothers is their selflessness. Mothers consistently put their children's needs ahead of their own, often sacrificing personal desires, dreams, and ambitions to ensure the well-being and happiness of their offspring. This profound selflessness is a testament to the enduring strength of the maternal bond.

Mothers serve as not only caregivers but also as role models. They instill values, ethics, and life lessons that significantly shape the character of their children. Through their actions, words, and example, mothers nurture qualities such as empathy, resilience, and compassion, which children carry with them throughout their lives.

While the holiday traditionally celebrates biological mothers, it is essential to acknowledge and honor adoptive mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and all women who play maternal roles in the lives of others. These women, too, deserve recognition and gratitude for their love, guidance, and support.

Mother's Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is a profound celebration of the extraordinary love, sacrifices, and guidance that mothers provide. This day reminds us to pause and express our deep gratitude for the remarkable women who have shaped our lives. As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us remember that this appreciation should extend beyond a single day. It should manifest in our daily actions, demonstrating love, kindness, and respect to the maternal figures who have nurtured us. By doing so, we honor and celebrate mothers not only on a designated day but throughout the year, recognizing the enduring impact of their unconditional love. Mother's Day is a beautiful reminder that a mother's love is one of the most powerful and enduring forces in the world. 🌸❤️

National Unity Day in Belarus is a significant and meaningful observance that highlights the importance of unity, diversity, and solidarity within the nation. Celebrated on September 17th, it serves as a reminder of the historical events that led to the unification of Belarusian lands and the preservation of the country's cultural heritage.

This day commemorates the liberation of the Belarusian capital, Minsk, from Nazi occupation during World War II, and the subsequent establishment of the People's Republic of Belarus. It symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Belarusian people in preserving their identity and independence.

National Unity Day is a time for Belarusians to come together, reflect on their history, and celebrate their shared culture and heritage. It promotes a sense of belonging and pride in the nation's diverse traditions and languages.

In recent years, National Unity Day has also become a platform for discussions on modern challenges facing Belarus and the importance of maintaining harmony and cooperation among different ethnic and social groups within the country.

Overall, National Unity Day in Belarus is a day of reflection, celebration, and a reaffirmation of the nation's commitment to unity and diversity. It serves as a reminder that, despite challenges and changes, the Belarusian people continue to stand together as one.🤝 

The Museum of Architectural Miniatures "Country Mini" is an ideal option for tourists! In the museum awaits you:  An exposition of 22 key sights of Belarus, to which you can go directly from the museum;  Souvenir shop with the largest selection of souvenirs and gifts from Belarus from more than 115 Belarusian craftsmen;  English-speaking guides, excursions in Russian, English and Belarusian;  The Country mini mobile application is an audio guide in Russian and English, which can be downloaded and installed completely free of charge;  Virtual reality glasses, where you can see more than 20 sights of Belarus in 360 shot, both outside and inside;

During the Liberation Campaign of the Red Army in Western Belarus and Ukraine on September 22, 1939, its units entered the city of Brest. The fortress continued to be a military town

With the outbreak of hostilities on June 22, 1941, the Brest Fortress became one of the most persistent pockets of resistance on the western border of the USSR.

Being surrounded, experiencing an acute shortage of ammunition, medicines, food and water, the soldiers of the Brest garrison and their families showed exceptional stamina and courage.

The defense of the Brest Fortress lasted about a month:

the first period - from June 22 to June 30, when fierce, bloody battles took place on all the fortifications of the fortress. On June 29-30, a general assault on the fortress took place.

The Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War is the largest national repository of material and spiritual monuments of the military history of 1941-1945. Open: 10.00 – 18.00. Day off: Monday.

The Earth Science Museum was created at the Faculty of Geography of the Belarusian State University in Minsk. More than 20,000 exhibits are collected here. Stones, minerals and crystals came here from different parts of the Earth: the Urals, Siberia, Central Asia, the Moscow region, Ukraine ...

An unusual department of the museum is the second floor of the faculty. This is a kind of "geological alley", where you can find granites, labradorite, marble and sandstone brought from different countries. At one time, the buildings of the Belarusian State University were faced with these rocks.

“Fragrances of magical herbs and plants” is another unusual Grodno museum. It's all about scents. The museum was opened in 2017 on the basis of the Grodno State Regional Ecological and Biological Center for Children and Youth. The collection consists of more than 70 medicinal and aromatic herbs and plants growing in Belarus. They were dried and collected by teachers and students of the center. The exhibits are presented not only in the form of a herbarium, but also in the form of sachets and herbal dolls, some of which are included in the aromatic soap made from natural ingredients. Many plants were collected in the apothecary garden of the center.In the new season, they plan to update and replenish the collection, as well as create and use scented candles and incense in the future.

If you or your children like cats, but you don’t dare to have animals at home, then you can come and chat with friendly creatures in the Minsk Cat Museum. The inhabitants of the museum in the past are mostly homeless, but now they are well-groomed and vaccinated. True, you can’t take cats in your arms, only stroke them.

The museum also has an exposition of works of art on the theme of cats and cats, and temporary thematic exhibitions are held. And in the museum there is a small "Cat Cafe" with cat drinks and cat sweets.

Father's Day is an annual holiday in honor of fathers, celebrated in many countries.

In the United States it was first celebrated on June 19, 1910.

This day became a national holiday in the United States in 1966, the year when US President Lyndon Johnson declared the third Sunday in June a national holiday. Traditionally, during the annual celebrations, the state and ordinary citizens rush to support low-income dads who are raising their children alone. Over time, other countries that declare respect for family values ​​began to follow the United States in celebrating this day, showing honor to the man-father.

In Belarus, Father's Day is celebrated on October 21 starting in 2022.