Exhibition opening: January 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM

The exhibition is dedicated to the amulet, a phenomenon of Belarusian spiritual culture. Amulets have existed in traditional culture since ancient times and have always been an interesting and valuable source for ethnographers, serving as keys to unlocking and understanding the archaic worldview, system of ideas, and beliefs of Belarusians. Ordinary objects from the cultural or natural environment, within the context of the traditional worldview, acquired new semantic meaning and were used as apotropaic objects—means of protection from supernatural forces. While performing their defensive function, these objects lost their utilitarian purpose and acquired ritual and symbolic properties. These new, apotropaic characteristics were not accidental; they were based on the actual qualities of the objects or on the specifics of their practical use. For example, in the popular imagination, the sharpness of a knife or axe is equally useful for performing real, everyday tasks and for serving as a means of protection against witches.

The exhibition features eight display units, figuratively reflecting the most important concerns that accompanied our ancestors throughout their lives: building a home, tending to the household, giving birth and raising children, and so on. Each unit represents a series of exhibits—museum items, natural materials, and photographs—that together create a special "museum still life"—a tangible and artistic embodiment of the role of apotropaic amulets in traditional Belarusian culture.

During the exhibition opening, you can expect:

- a talk about the role of amulets in the traditional spiritual culture of Belarusians;

- performances on traditional Belarusian musical instruments;

- a master class on making a protective belt.