New Year 2017: Festive lights are ablaze in Belarus

As of the evening of 15 December Minsk and all the other cities and towns of Belarus are intent on inspiring the genuine mood of magic and beauty in the run-up to the New Year celebration. Avenues and streets, shop windows and residential houses now dazzle passers-by with garlands of lights while New Year trees tower above the largest squares all over the country. In anticipation of the winter break in Belarusian schools 18 green beauties have been erected in various parts of Minsk to become part of the merry shows and festivities in the course of the New Year and Christmas celebration.

The erection of the country’s main New Year tree in Minsk’s Oktyabrskaya Square began in late November 2016 since the workers had to assemble a metallic structure of over 30 meters high and attach over 3,000 bushy branches to it. The result is praise-worthy: the country’s main New Year tree looks more than natural. The image is centered on light dynamics toys with parts of Belarusian ornamental design that create a light ambience even during the day.

Apart from the New Year trees the festive mood in Minsk is inspired by breathtaking light ornamentation. The choice includes 3D balls in Oktyabrskaya Square, which are already high on the list of the city’s popular places of interest and attract crowds of selfie seekers, and the Present Box seemingly left abandoned near the famous department store GUM. The innovations include adornments focusing on the most popular sports in Belarus: a 3D ball near Minsk’s Football House and an original composition made of a puck and crossed hockey sticks near Minsk Arena.

The New Year lights will keep Minsk ablaze from 15 December through 14 January (New Year according to the Julian calendar): the lights will be turned on at 06:00 in the morning to stay on until the street lamps are turned off and will be turned on in the evening till 23:00. Something special will be in store for Minsk residents and guests during the actual festive days: on 24 and 31 December, on 6 and 13 January the lights will add to the magic atmosphere and festive decorations of the Belarusian capital through the night.

Belarus’ main New Year tree and blazing avenues in Minsk, an unusual tower-like New Year tree in Grodno, magnificent Gomel, and a great many other wonders in the run-up to New Year are covered by our report!