Anglo-Belarusian Society

Dear Members and Friends of Anglo-Belarusian Society,

You are cordially invited to the talk “What can your teeth tell about your childhood? Breastfeeding, puberty and growing up in medieval Polack” by Vera Haponava, the Belarusian researcher (University of Edinburgh) on Saturday 10 October 2026 at 14.30.

The talk, with questions and discussion will finish by about 16.00, after which time there will be the buffet reception with soft drinks, wine, tea and coffee, which will close at 17.00, prior to the Church Service at 17.30.

Abstract: In the past, when sterilised baby foods were not available, infant feeding was a matter of life and death. Implications of infant feeding span across generations. Unsurprisingly, this matter attracts interest of archaeologists. My project was the first to identify weaning time and practices in the past of Belarus, as well as explore later childhood experiences up to young adulthood age. In this talk, you will learn how to establish when children were weaned from breast milk, using biochemical analysis of teeth extracted from adult skeletal remains (do not repeat at home !!).

 

WHEN: Saturday 10 October 2026 at 14.30 WHERE: Marian House, Holden Avenue, London, N12 8HY ZOOM: link (Meeting ID: 872 2133 5908 Passcode: 800436)

The post TALK: What can your teeth tell about your childhood? Breastfeeding, puberty and growing up in medieval Polack. Sat 07.10 14:30, London first appeared on Anglo-Belarusian Society.

The Anglo-Belarusian Society cordially invites its members and friends to the traditional Kupalle (Midsummer) celebration in the garden of 37 Holden Road, London N12 8HS (the nearest tube stop is Woodside Park). The celebration is organised in partnership with the Francils Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum and the Belarusian Catholic Mission, who together provide the venue.

This is an informal event, please arrive and leave as you wish.

Programme:

The Vir folk group of the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library invites you to weave flower crowns, to join in Kupalle folk dances and songs, to choose Kupalinka, decorate the Kupalle wheel and light the Kupalle fire, burn the Witch and float wreaths on the water, as well as take part in Kupalle games and entertainment.
15:00 – weaving of crowns (donations of flowers by 2pm will be greatly appreciated)
16:00-16:30 poetry readings in honour of Vera Rich
16:30-22:00 Kupalle celebration
18:00-18:40- service at the Belarusian church of St Cyril of Turau

Please assist us if possible by bringing along flower-crowns and wearing Belarusian costumes. While the event is multilingual, the use of the Belarusian language will be encouraged.

All gifts of cold food, wine, beer and soft drinks will be gratefully received, but – please – NO SPIRITS. Please make all your food donations TABLE READY.
There will be a collection to cover expenses (£7 for members, £10 for non-members).

The running of the event requires VOLUNTEERS – please approach the organisers if you’d like to help.

 

The post Kupalle (Midsummer) Celebration 2026, 27.06 16:00-21:00, London first appeared on Anglo-Belarusian Society.