Belarusians in Britain | Беларусы ў Вялікабрытаніі

London 2010

Sasha Belavokaya | Саша Белавокая
Alena Aharelysheva | Алена Агарэлышава
Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum | Бібліятэка і музэй імя Францішка Скарыны

As time passes and generations change there remain few reminders of the rich history of a nation. One of those reminders is a traditional national dress.

The national costume is often dubbed a chronicle of a nation charting centuries of its history. For people leaving the country of birth, their traditional clothes represent one of the most important things they take with them. Displaying traditional garments is usually confined to special events and celebrations.

As times and circumstances change, the tradition of national dress remains alive. This unique photo exhibition, BIEŁARUS ZAMIEŽNY (A Foreign Belarusian), explores the ways in which émigrés, past and present ones, identified themselves with their national dress.

Many associations have attempted to create a microcosm of their homeland, in order to satisfy the need for native reminders while parted from their country. In modern times, it has become increasingly common among émigrés to foster a sense of national identity.

This exhibition attempts to look at the Belarusian émigré community through the prism of a national dress.

The exhibition opens on 13 February 2010, 3 pm, at the Belarusian Religious and Cultural Centre in London (39 Holden Road, N12 8HS).