A Crossroads of Stories and Cultures
The history of Belarus is very complex due to the countless occupations and divisions the country has experienced. Serving as a buffer state between the East, represented by Russia, and the West, symbolized by Poland, Belarusian culture is imbued with these two worlds. Byzantine architecture, typical of Russia, harmoniously combines with the Gothic style of Western Europe, enriched with touches of classicism, baroque, and modern. The remnants that survived the tragic destruction of World War II, reflecting the blend of past cultures, are associated with dominant Stalinist architecture in major cities, expressing the Soviet past. A melting pot of peoples and religions as early as the 15th century, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexisted peacefully here. It is not uncommon to find in the same city an Orthodox church, a Catholic church, a synagogue, and a mosque! In addition to a folklore that remains very present, particularly in the Polesie regions.