The temporary exhibition “Katsiaryna Vadanosava: ATTIRE. An Exhibition of Historical and Traditional Belarusian Costumes”

The vernissage will take place on December 21, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum of Free Belarus, 11 Foksal Street, Warsaw.

The opening will feature an author-led tour and a concert by Katsiaryna Vadanosava, accompanied by sand art by Alaksandra Konafalskaya. Each costume on display is more than a historical reconstruction of a specific period or region — it tells a complete story, sometimes factual, sometimes imagined.

Katsiaryna Vadanosava:
"While describing each costume, I tried to imagine the woman, girl, boy, or man who might have worn it. Sometimes these stories were naive, sometimes slightly sad, and occasionally there was no need to invent anything — it was enough to draw from my own life or the lives of my relatives and ancestors."

The exhibition presents reconstructions of costumes from the 11th to the early 20th century. Visitors will see everything from the attire of a Polotsk princess of the 11th century to the young Queen Bona, noblewomen from the 1863–1864 uprising, and traditional Belarusian peasant clothing. Garments include hand-embroidered silk ribbons, corsets, krina, knitted lace, embroidered shirts, and other finely crafted elements — all made entirely by hand.

Creating these costumes requires months or even years of work. Each piece is not only a work of art but also the result of scientific research, using authentic textile techniques such as embroidery, sewing, tailoring, knitting, and weaving. Every element and accessory corresponds to historical sources.

The exhibition features 14 costumes:

• Wealthy Krivich woman from Polotsk (late 11th century)
• Townswoman’s costume (13th–14th century)
• Middle-ranking noblewoman (late 14th–early 15th century)
• Noblewoman (late 15th–16th century)
• Noblewoman from the January Uprising (1863–1864)
• Kalinkavichy, Mstsislaw, Grodno, and Maladzyechna regional costumes
• Fragment of an authentic shirt
• Kobryn outfit with svita-latuga
• Men’s costume with svita
• Wedding costume compilation
• Contemporary designer dress inspired by traditional attire
• Contemporary stage dress decorated using traditional techniques

Concert participants:

• Katsiaryna Vadanosava — vocals, wind instruments
• Stsyafaniya Vadanosava — vocals, violin
• Ihar Palynski — guitar
• Alaksandra Konafalskaya — sand art

During the short concert, several of Katsiaryna’s original songs will be performed, accompanied by sand animation projected on a screen, reflecting the mood and narrative of the songs.

Katsiaryna Vadanosava is a master of historical and traditional Belarusian costumes, a researcher of textile techniques, founder of the School of Traditional Costume in Białystok, historian, scholar of religion, TV presenter, journalist, singer, and public figure.

Alaksandra Konafalskaya is a SandArt artist ranked among the top ten sand painters in the world.

The exhibition will run until January 19, 2025, daily except Mondays.

Opening hours:

• Tuesday–Friday: 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Admission: free