by Ihar, age 8, asks Dzied Maroz do you come on New Year’s Eve in Belarus?, about the Belovezhskaya forest bison, and Belarus’s two languages
Dear Dzied Maroz,
My name is Ihar and I am 8 years old. I live in Minsk, Belarus, where the snow starts early and my papa says our winters are so long that we get very, very good at building snowmen.
First, do you come on New Year’s Eve in Belarus?
Second, a geography question: what large forest, famous for wild bison, is found in Belarus?
Third, a school question about my country: why does Belarus have two official languages, Belarusian and Russian?
I left you draniki and a cup of tea.
Love, Ihar, age 8, Minsk, Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
From the Desk of Dzied Maroz
Dear Ihar, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Do you come on New Year’s Eve in Belarus?
Yes, New Year’s Eve remains my traditional visit here, much like several of my neighboring colleagues across the region.
What large forest, famous for wild bison, is found in Belarus?
Belarus is home to part of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, one of the last and largest remaining patches of ancient forest in Europe, where herds of wild European bison still roam. Flying over it on a snowy night always feels like flying back in time a little.
Why does Belarus have two official languages, Belarusian and Russian?
Belarusian is the country’s own native language, developed over centuries, while Russian became widely spoken during the long period when Belarus was part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. Today both languages are official, and Belarusian remains an important symbol of the country’s own distinct culture and history.
Ziczy vam, Ihar.
Ho ho ho, Dzied Maroz
