People dressed as Father Frost, the equivalent of Santa Claus, and Snow Maiden take part in the contest “Yolka-fest-2014” (Fir-festival-2014) in Minsk December 12, 2014. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)
A participant of the “Mrs Universe 2015” contest from Caribbean Coast, Mayra Joli poses for a photo with a woman during their visit in central botanical garden in Minsk, Belarus, August 25, 2015. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)
A man dressed as Father Frost, the equivalent of Santa Claus, and Snow Maiden takes part in the contest “Yolka-fest-2016” (Fir-festival-2016) in Minsk, Belarus December 9, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)
Belarussian villagers perform during a celebration of the “Tsary” rite in the village of Semezhevo, Belarus January 13, 2016. This unique rite originated from the 18th century, and now takes place only in this village marking the New Year, according to the Julian calendar, on January 13. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)
People dressed in national clothes sing songs during the regional harvest festival in the town of Dyatlovo, Belarus, November 13, 2015. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)
A Belarussian woman looks in the mirror as she takes part in the festival of national traditions “Piatrovski” in the village of Shipilovichi, south of Minsk, July 12, 2015. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)