{"id":596476,"date":"2026-10-30T18:01:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T15:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reform.news\/?p=596476"},"modified":"2026-10-30T20:08:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T17:08:35","slug":"belarusian-man-shows-what-the-national-library-could-look-like-on-halloween-people-are-delighted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/belarusian-man-shows-what-the-national-library-could-look-like-on-halloween-people-are-delighted","title":{"rendered":"Belarusian Man Shows What the National Library Could Look Like on Halloween. People Are Delighted"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p>A Minsk resident has posted a video showing the National Library transformed into a Halloween pumpkin using LED lights on its facade.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 720px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-596476-1\" width=\"720\" height=\"1280\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/video-1.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/video-1.mp4\">https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/video-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>In 24 hours, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.com\/share\/GoRGHMAWX\/\">video<\/a> received 2,400 likes on Threads, while many commenters expressed disappointment that it was merely an AI-generated image. This is telling in a country where the holiday has been declared undesirable and wearing a themed costume in a public place can attract police attention. However, not everyone liked the idea.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596397 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.01-1200x597.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.01-1200x597.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.01-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.01-768x382.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.01.png 1398w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596398 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.45-1200x409.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.45-1200x409.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.45-300x102.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.45-768x262.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.23.45.png 1368w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596399 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.18-1200x609.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.18-1200x609.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.18-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.18-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.18.png 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596400 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.42-1200x605.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.42-1200x605.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.42-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.42-768x387.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.24.42.png 1388w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596401 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.04-1200x634.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.04-1200x634.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.04-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.04-768x406.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.04.png 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596402 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.24-1200x693.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.24-1200x693.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.24-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.24-768x443.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.25.24.png 1386w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The National Library&#8217;s illuminated facade is an entirely official advertising space. It has been used to advertise alcoholic beverages and betting companies, but Halloween symbols are unlikely to appear there. Back in December 2022, the Council of Ministers banned events at educational institutions that contradict the traditional values of Belarusians. In the authorities&#8217; view, Halloween falls into that category.<\/p>\n<p>Although the document applied only to educational and cultural institutions, Belarusians have grown accustomed to the possibility that wearing a themed costume in a public place could attract police attention.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe want to take some photos on the 31st for Halloween (in themed costumes). Could we be fined for that?\u201d<\/em> asks a Belarusian woman using the username <strong>lolita_5t<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThey stopped people last year. [&#8230;] A girl I know had to take part of her costume off [&#8230;] and went home,\u201d<\/em> replies a user named <strong>jerrelinmarkins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596407 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.34.28-1200x388.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.34.28-1200x388.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.34.28-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.34.28-768x248.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.34.28.png 1336w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-596408 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06-1200x860.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06-1200x860.png 1200w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06-768x550.png 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06-1117x800.png 1117w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-30-at-16.35.06.png 1396w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Every year, the authorities reaffirm their commitment to \u201ccultural import substitution\u201d in official letters, and 2026 has been no exception. The Kobryn District Executive Committee advised organizations to refrain from celebrating Halloween, describing it as <em>\u201cflirting with dark forces, glorifying death and departing from Christian tradition\u201d<\/em>, as well as promoting <em>\u201caggression and antisocial behavior\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_596403\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-596403\" style=\"width: 950px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-596403 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/870251628_17877094167650834_2696013886510725814_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"950\" height=\"826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/870251628_17877094167650834_2696013886510725814_n.jpg 950w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/870251628_17877094167650834_2696013886510725814_n-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/870251628_17877094167650834_2696013886510725814_n-768x668.jpg 768w, https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/870251628_17877094167650834_2696013886510725814_n-920x800.jpg 920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-596403\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: @virtualbrest, Threads.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite this, the Halloween tradition has strong roots in western Belarus, where Dzyady \u2014 a ritual commemorating deceased ancestors \u2014 is observed in late October. On the night of October 31 to November 1, cemeteries in the Hrodna and Brest regions are filled with candles and oil lamps, creating an eerie atmosphere for the uninitiated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Minsk resident has posted a video showing the National Library transformed into a Halloween pumpkin using LED lights on its facade. In 24 hours, the video received 2,400 likes on Threads, while many commenters expressed disappointment that it was merely an AI-generated image. This is telling in a country where the holiday has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":596486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sharing_image":{"poster":"https:\/\/reform.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/6ae4cf1716663.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"template":"691142dd","mode":"auto"},"_sharing_image_fieldset":{"dTVKfmI95PYT":"Belarusian Man Shows What the National Library Could Look Like on Halloween. People Are Delighted"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[142375,142339,142338,143127],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-596476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-main","category-news","category-society"],"wps_subtitle":"","permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/119"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=596476"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":596498,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/596476\/revisions\/596498"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/596486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=596476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=596476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reform.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=596476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}