YEREVAN. - Armenia will show its worth as a rightful member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU): it has all the opportunities for this. In an interview with Armenian News – NEWS.am, Belarus Ambassador to Armenia Igor Nazaruk shared with his vision on the possibilities of developing cooperation between the two countries in the EEU framework, told about interesting Belarusian traditions related to New Year and Christmas celebration, and revealed his devout wish.   

What achievements did Armenia and Belarus have in 2015 in the framework of the EEU?

Even if there has been no significant growth in indexes yet, at least no drop in mutual trade has been observed. And I think this is thanks to the fact that our borders have opened; we have no customs procedures, all this is in the past. We have free movement of goods: other degrees of freedom – free movement of services, workers and capital – which also function with certain reservations, will also be implemented in nearest future. Some time later the reservations will also be in the past. In financial terms, the trade indexes have somewhat deteriorated as compared to 2014. This is due to a number of reasons: change in the rate of key currencies, [as well as] change in the cost of basic hydrocarbons - fuel and gas.

But on the other hand, the analysis of the mutual commodity turnover between the Republic of Armenia and Republic of Belarus indicates growth in quantitative terms in actually all positions. Armenia and Belarus are members of the EEU. It’s difficult for me to say which union is good, but, apparently, the EEU has been the best so long. It “was born” recently; it has good potential and good future. And the speed which we have taken is quite successful.

Do you expect any progress in the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement in 2016?

Settlement of such issues requires talks in “cold” and not “warm” regime. The OSCE Minsk Group actually aims at this. If necessary, Minsk can serve as a platform for the two presidents respected in their capitals. I’m sure when contacts begin, a great degree of mutual understanding emerges, and when we understand each other better, additional elements of trust appear. Talks, calm communication without any transitions to the “warm” phase - I’m sure this is the only correct path.

Could you please tell a little about the Belarusian New Year traditions?

New Year and Christmas bring with them the magic which all of us await like some fairy tale, some miracle 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.

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.

A very beautiful table is traditionally set for Christmas. Before spreading the tablecloth, hay is put under it. This symbolizes Jesus in manger. Candle symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem is put on the table; fire is also the symbol of life. The mandatory attribute of Belarusian Christmas is kutia - cereal which is made of barley. 12 dishes, corresponding to the number of apostles, are put on the table and each dish should be tasted.  As a rule, considering that this is lent food, dishes from fish, mushrooms and vegetables are made on Christmas Eve. I tried to prepare exactly this kind of table for celebrating New Year in Armenia. The youth, especially in villages, celebrates [the holiday] joyously: they go from “hut” to “hut,” or do caroling, as we call it.  The group of young men is accompanied by a young man dressed as a gaffer, and another one dressed as a goat.

During such an improvised ritual, the goat, like the grits, symbolizes fertility and prosperity. The goat seems to first try to gore everyone, after which it falls on the ground, this symbolizing the “death” of the old year. Then the owners, for whom the visitors sing joyous Christmas songs, treat them with food: wurst, sweets and pastry. After this the goat revives, this symbolizing New Year and New Life. It is considered that the year will be very successful for those who are visited by the goat and gaffer.

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.

When starting eating kutia at the table, the first spoon must always be thrown out of the window. It is considered that Gaffer Zyuzya will eat it and be more gracious.  

On Christmas we always clean our houses, put them into order and get rid of unnecessary things. We are not that expressive like Italians who throw their furniture out of the window. We are more assiduous with that respect: we’d better fix it!

What miracle does Belarusian Ambassador expect? What would you ask from Santa Claus?

Like any other man, I’d wish peace, kindness and prosperity. Apparently, not only for myself. Considering that I’m Armenia, I’d like this kindness to be not only in Belarus, but also in Armenia, and in the whole world. Nobody needs conflicts and hardships. I wish all the adversities to come by, and let the New Year bring only new accomplishments and growth of prosperity to our people.