Belarusians in Warsaw Celebrated Kupalle with a Bang. Tsikhanouskaya Also Joined
Already a traditional occasion for Belarusians in Warsaw to gather, weave wreaths, and dance roundelays by the bonfire, the Kupalle open-air event "Varushniak" (literally 'stirring') has become. Although every year it attracts more and more visitors from Poland, Ukraine, and other countries.
This year, among the invited musicians, Ivan Dorn played his set at the festival.
This year, "Varushniak" gathered more than 20 artists — electronic, rock, and folk — in one place. In terms of genre, everyone could find something to their taste, especially since the festival lasted from 3 PM until five in the morning of the next day.
The tender and jazzy Illia Chumak from the band "Sayuz" was followed by an electronic set from composer Illia Siemashkevich, continuing with the hypnotic collaboration "Shumy" and "Muffer".
Alongside Ivan Dorn, Max Startsev, whom many will remember from Minsk's "Huligan", also set the dance floor on fire.
But it seems the real magic happened when the women's choir "Spevy" (Songs) took to the stage near midnight and soon, with torches, led the crowd along the water's sandy bank to light the Kupalle bonfire and sing traditional Belarusian songs around it in a large, multi-layered roundelay.
"It's some kind of surrealism, because there are only Belarusians around and so much Belarusian language," noted one visitor, who for the first time in six years of emigration found herself in such a concentrated Belarusian community.
Additionally, "Varushniak" had a zone with lectures and a market. Visitors, for example, learned about the love story of Marc Chagall and his Bella and participated in an interactive game on Belarusian phraseologisms.
National leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also visited the celebration. She stayed at "Varushniak" until late at night, talking with artisans, food court staff, artists, and other Belarusians she met.
With "Nasha Niva," the national leader shared how Kupalle was celebrated in her childhood.
"It always happened during summer holidays when we were children — in the village. I remember how the whole village gathered together, a bonfire was lit. We were allowed to stay up late, which was very pleasant. And then, for some reason, in my teenage years, I don't remember us going to Kupalle specifically in the village. Only in Mikashevichy, if there was a celebration, we would go to everything there."
Sviatlana has not yet had the chance to celebrate Kupalle with her children, who have already returned from the USA.
"They probably don't even know that such a tradition exists. We just didn't happen to be there, and now I treat such events as work anyway."
Former political prisoners also relaxed at "Varushniak." Overall, many noted the special nature of the event, which provides an opportunity to gather away from home with a large Belarusian company of strangers who are so close in spirit.
It is worth noting separately the attire of most of the participants — many took out their grandmothers' treasures from chests, specially bought upcycled items from old curtains from designers, or scoured shops for accessories to look thematic. And the variety of handmade wreaths is the highlight of the Kupalle dress code.
On the same day, Kupalle was also celebrated in a modern style in Minsk at Sviata fest — featuring rapper Lightovy, Nevika, "Barysau Trakt", Pavluchenko, and others.
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