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Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. Local residents took part in the celebrations to mark the end of a pagan winter holiday Kolyada, which over the centuries has merged with Orthodox Christmas celebrations. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. Local residents took part in the celebrations to mark the end of a pagan winter holiday Kolyada, which over the centuries has merged with Orthodox Christmas celebrations. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Belarusians celebrate a Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak rite in the village of Martsiyanauka, some 77 km (48 miles) east of capital Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, January 21, 2016. The merry ancient rite Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak marks the end of Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Belarus. On Jan. 21 a wheel, the so-called Kolyada, would be pulled up an oak or any old tree. The Belarusians believed that the ritual heralds a good harvest, luck and happiness for the entire  year. (Photo by Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

Belarusians celebrate a Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak rite in the village of Martsiyanauka, some 77 km (48 miles) east of capital Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, January 21, 2016. The merry ancient rite Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak marks the end of Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Belarus. On Jan. 21 a wheel, the so-called Kolyada, would be pulled up an oak or any old tree. The Belarusians believed that the ritual heralds a good harvest, luck and happiness for the entire year. (Photo by Sergei Grits/AP Photo)



Villagers play as they take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers play as they take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Girls warm themselves at a fire as they take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Girls warm themselves at a fire as they take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Villagers take part in Kolyada holiday celebrations in the village of Martsiyanauka, Belarus, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)



Belarusians wearing national costumes celebrate a Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak rite in the village of Martsiyanauka, some 77 km (48 miles) east of capital Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

Belarusians wearing national costumes celebrate a Pull the Kolyada Up the Oak rite in the village of Martsiyanauka, some 77 km (48 miles) east of capital Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, January 21, 2016. (Photo by Sergei Grits/AP Photo)
22 Jan 2016 10:13:00