Unity of generations: photo exhibition of modern Belarusians in folk costumes opened in Minsk

Photo exhibition "Etnasusvet" opened in the Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature on September 30, the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

- She began to study ethnography in 2014, then for the first time went to a folklore expedition, where she was inspired by folk art. I am a photographer and designer by profession. Therefore, the project “Etnasusvet” combined all these areas, – noted photographer Ekaterina Arakcheeva.

The portraits depict modern Belarusians dressed in authentic folk costumes – these outfits are 100-150 years old. During the photo shoots, clothes from private collections or very accurate reconstructions of buildings created by Belarusian masters were used.

- I tried to combine several eras so that visitors could see what their great-grandmothers looked like. But Etnasusvet for me is not only folk costumes. In addition, I was impressed with our Belarusian songs, which could be heard in the villages when a large family gathered at a table during a significant celebration. I sing folk works myself, and I believe that they should be heard in every house, Arakcheeva added.

The costumes themselves are also on display. One of them is Neglub. Textile tradition of the agro-town of Neglyubka, Gomel region is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The first participants were friends and acquaintances of the photographer. Later, thanks to social networks, many girls came to the photo shoot in the folk style.

- My grandmother had a Mohilev system. Unfortunately, the village where she lived was buried in connection with the Chernobyl accident, so the folk costume has not survived. When I found out that Ekaterina was photographing Belarusian girls in formation, I suggested that her twin sister go to a photo shoot together. I really wanted to try on an image like the one my grandmother wore, which I remember with great love. In this traditional costume, I felt like a real Belarusian. The outfits that were worn on me and my sister belonged to the same formation, but were slightly different in color of collars, wool skirts, vests and pattern on the sleeves of shirts, shared the participant of the photo shoot Olga Kureychik.

The exhibition features 31 portraits, but more were taken. Among the buildings are Wolfovysk-Kamenetsky, Kobrinsky, Kletzky, Pukhovichi, Lelchitsky, Berezovsky, etc.

According to the organizer, there are costumes from all historical and ethnographic regions of Belarus, except for Vitebsk region, where historically very few traditional clothes have been preserved. It often happened that the region of the traditional image coincided with the small homeland of the participant of the photo shoot.

- I ordered this photo shoot a little over two years ago, for my thirtieth anniversary. Browsed through social networks and came across the work of Catherine. The fact is that I have a part of the costume from my great-grandmother - a homespun skirt and shirt. I showed them to the photographer, and she found the suit as close as possible to the Krasnopol district of the Mogilev region. It amazes me how in those years, women who had a lot of care and very few tools at hand, could create such beauty with their own hands. This is incredible and commands deep respect. I believe that traditional outfits are our cultural code, which we should try to preserve, said Maria Ledian, a participant of the photo shoot and a visitor to the exposition.

At the opening ceremony, folk songs were played. And at the end of the program, the master ethnographer, reenactor of authentic traditional Belarusian costumes Alexandra Metlevskaya presented the components of the folk costume and dressed the model Nadezhda Sokolchik in them.

The exhibition will run until November 22.

Photo by author