Spring Ritual “Yurau Circle Dance”
About event
The spring ritual “Yuraŭski Karagod” is traditionally held in Pogost village on 6 May, St George’s Day. Preparations include baking and decorating a special ceremonial loaf called a “karagod”, a festive procession, walking into the fields, circle dances and ancient songs, symbolic actions involving the bread and prayers for a future harvest. Today the tradition is maintained by Pogost residents and members of the folk and ethnographic ensemble Mizhrechcha. In 2019, UNESCO inscribed the rite on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Date
May 6, 2024
Location
Pogost village, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel Region; the ceremony takes place in the village and adjoining field
Open on mapOrganizer
Zhitkovichi District Centre for Folk Art and Cultural Leisure; Pogost tradition bearers and the Mizhrechcha folk and ethnographic ensemble
Entry
Free