Belarus has maintained close ties with Russia for decades, with these ties only growing stronger in recent years.
Shared political goals and economic dependency have brought the two nations closer, while increasing Belarus’s isolation from Western nations.
This alignment is often reflected in cultural policies as well, with Belarus making deliberate choices to align itself more closely with Russian traditions and values.
In the latest example of this trend, Belarusian authorities have banned Santa Claus, English-language New Year carols, and other Western holiday traditions in schools, according to Pravda.
Russian New Year Traditions
According to reports from Polskie Radio and Belarusian outlets Euroradio and Nasha Niva, the directive was issued as part of a campaign to promote Russian New Year customs over Western influences in educational institutions.
The directive prohibits traditional Christmas carols, popular English-language songs like “Jingle Bells,” and holiday decorations associated with the West.
Schools have been instructed to exclude Santa Claus from their celebrations.
Instead, Belarusian schools are encouraged to adopt Russian New Year traditions exclusively.
This move aligns with previous decisions by Belarusian authorities to ban other Western cultural celebrations, such as Valentine’s Day and Halloween.
Critics argue that the policy aims to consolidate Belarus’s cultural and ideological alignment with Russia.
As tensions with the West continue to escalate, this effort appears to be part of a broader strategy to distance the nation from Western values and strengthen ties with its eastern neighbor.
The ban on Santa Claus and Western carols has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a way to preserve national and regional traditions, while critics see it as an unnecessary restriction on cultural expression and creativity.
Adding to the controversy, Russian state media recently circulated a propaganda video showing a missile striking Santa Claus’s sleigh over the Kremlin.
The video has been interpreted as an extension of the anti-Western sentiment encouraged by both Belarusian and Russian authorities.
