Golden grain

"Golden Grain" is a living testament to how ancient worldviews were preserved and passed down in Belarusian villages. The book collects legends and beliefs heard by the author in childhood from grandmothers and grandfathers who believed in sorcerers, evil spirits, and magical signs of nature. These stories not only reflect the rich spiritual heritage of our ancestors but also transport the reader into an atmosphere of mystery where reality is closely intertwined with myths.

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The collection of tales you hold in your hands comprises legends and beliefs that have been passed down through generations in my family. The stories I heard in my childhood from village grandmothers and grandfathers inspired me to write this book.

The Belarusian village is a true relic of the ancient beliefs and customs of our ancestors. Perhaps today it seems strange, but even at the very end of the 20th century, among the villagers in the Lida region, many superstitions and beliefs existed (and continue to exist!) whose roots stretch back to pre-Christian times. For example, my grandmother Juzefa was convinced that her neighbor from the farmstead was casting spells and stealing milk from cows. And grandmother Halia insisted that a toad that had crept into the house was a manifestation of an evil spirit, and to ward off misfortune, it needed to be burned in the stove.

I haven't forgotten any of these stories and have retold them to my readers.

From the Author's Preface