The Belorussian word “babulya” is often used for elderly women, especially those in rural areas. Young people sometimes use it with a bit of irony, but usually, it means a lot of respect and tenderness. It’s often associated with hospitality, kindness, and worldly wisdom of old ladies.

This is a story about the celebration of Christmas in a small village in the southeast of Belorussia. It’s situated in one of the biggest forest areas in Europe called “Polesie”.  Most of the village’s population are elderly women because men’s life expectancy is still significantly shorter in this region. These women know each other for many years. They married their husbands, brought up their children, and worked near each other for most of their lives. 

They aren’t members of folklore groups and tourists don’t go there. They make beautiful traditional clothes quite of their own will. On Twelvetide these women dress up and visit each other singing carols and dancing in their picturesquely decorated houses. 

Despite all problems and difficulties babuli have to face in the post-soviet states, there’s no doubt they have big inner strength, wisdom, and a sense of joy, which helped them to go through a lot. However, first of all, babuli are women with their unique bright sense of taste and dignity.