News & Events in Belarus

Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District from Belarus inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MINSK, 9 December (BelTA) - The Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“During its 20th session in New Delhi on 9 December, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO) decided to inscribe the element of intangible cultural heritage ‘Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District Gomel Oblast’ on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding,” the statement reads.

The Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District, Gomel Oblast is a unique phenomenon of Belarusian folk culture, preserving archaic features and complex symbolism. Formed in the 17th century, this tradition encompasses the creation of rushnyks (ceremonial towels), clothing items, and interior decorations using distinctive weaving and embroidery techniques.

Particularly renowned are the Negliubka rushnyks, distinguished by their complex polychromatic palette (up to 25 shades) and a rich ornamental heritage comprising over 120 patterns, some of which trace back to millennial traditions. Geometric and floral motifs carry encoded wishes for goodness, love, prosperity, and health. The uniqueness of the technique, where weaving is performed from the reverse side, ensures that each piece is one-of-a-kind.

Being a part of Belarus' historical and cultural heritage, the tradition continues to thrive thanks to the uninterrupted transmission from generation to generation, preserving unique techniques and the symbolic language of folk art. Local residents continue to use traditional textile items in daily life and make significant efforts to disseminate the practices of Negliubka weaving, particularly to pass on this knowledge to the younger generation.

The inscription of this craft on the UNESCO List is the result of collaborative efforts by the community of Negliubka artisans, experts and specialists in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, the National Commission for UNESCO of the Republic of Belarus, the Culture Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, the Permanent Delegation of Belarus to UNESCO, and the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts.

With the inclusion of the Negliubka textile tradition, the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage now feature seven Belarusian elements. These include the festive Christmas rite Kalyady Tsars in the village of Semezhevo, Kopyl District, Minsk Oblast, 2009; the Celebration in honor of the Budslau Icon of Our Lady (Budslau fest) in Myadel District, Minsk Oblast,  2018; Spring rite of Jurauski Karahod (St. George's Round Dance) in the village of Pogost, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel Oblast, 2019; Tree beekeeping culture, 2020; Straw weaving in Belarus, art, craft and skills, 2022; Vytsinanka, traditional art of paper cutting in Belarus, 2024.

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