YEREVAN. - The mandatory attribute of Belarusian Christmas is kutia - cereal which is made of barley. Belarus Ambassador to Armenia Igor Nazaruk told the aforementioned to Armenian News – NEWS.am.

According to the diplomat, New Year and Christmas bring with them the magic which everyone awaits like some fairy tale and renewal. “Belarusians have ancient traditions rooting from the pagan times. Together with celebrating Christmas, the national Koliada (caroling) ritual is held. Koliada is the celebration of Christmas itself. The word “Koliada” derives from two sources: according to one of them, it derives from the word colendae (Latin name of the first day of each month), while according to the second one, it comes from the word “kolo,” “koleso” (Rus.)(wheel), that is sun,” Nazaruk said.

If we look at an actual calendar, he said, we’ll see that this period coincides with the day of winter solstice, when, beginning from December 25 and 26, the light day lengthens.   “People also call this “solstice,” i.e. the sun turns to the summer,” the Ambassador added.

In the diplomat’s words, the ancient Belarusians had a pagan deity called Zyuzya. “This is a short gaffer with long silver beard. He lives in the forest, walks barefoot on the snow and carries a club in his hand. If he approaches a village and is not coaxed with presents, he starts hitting the stub with a club, and snowstorm and deep frost enter that region. And if he is coaxed, the weather will thus be good and birds will sing joyfully,” the Ambassador said.

When they start eating kutia, the first spoon must always be thrown out of the window. “It is considered that Gaffer Zyuzya will eat it and be more gracious,” Nazaruk said.