We often regard the ancient culture as something mysterious and incomprehensible. Some meanings, lost and forgotten in life, still exist in the rituals, customs, symbols and musical tunes. The story of our people, the traditions and life of our ancestors, the beauty of Belarusian nature are encrypted in woven and embroidered articles.
The permanent virtual exhibition "The Ornament of the Belarusian Soul" shows the diversity of national ornament as a cultural phenomenon.
The exhibition introduces the characteristic features of Belarusian traditional weavings. Historical, art, folklore and other materials are on display. The book of Doctor of Arts, Professor M. Katsar Belarusian Ornament (in Belarusian: Беларускі арнамент) is of particular value. The publication is a collection of unique pre-war records, conversations, drawings and photographs.
Each stitch patterns has a deeper meaning. The exhibition reveals the secrets of Belarusian ornament, its symbols and motifs, teaching to "read" them.
Several sections of the exhibition are devoted to the history of weaving and embroidery, towels and folk costume.
Part of the exhibition focuses on the famous Slutsk belts, which are the wonderful phenomenon of Belarusian national culture. Patterned silk belts, that used to be manufactured in the city of Slutsk, had gained worldwide fame and become the evidence of the talent of local masters. The section is illustrated with the photos from the album In the City of Slutsk (in Russian: В граде Слуцке).
The last section shows the continuity of folk traditions in the ornamental decoration of modern products.
For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 53.
Special Collections service Department
