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  • <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Straw weaving in Belarus is a combination of knowledge, technologies, artistic techniques for processing cereal straw, as well as the ideas about the spiritual value and symbolism of the material and the products made from it. This traditional craft is distinguished by a variety of artistic methods and techniques, a great diversity of forms and styles of works created by many generations of masters in different regions of Belarus. The history of straw weaving goes back several centuries. Initially, it was exclusively a peasant craft, but later, urban residents began to do it.  Various utensils (boxes, baskets, dossers, and cases), headgears (hats and caps), toys, and accessories were made from straw. Some products were endowed with special sacredness (“harvest wreaths” or Christmas decorations (“pawuks”) made of straw). Today people continue to use them, but rather as interior decoration. The plasticity and artistic potential straw of as a material are harmoniously and skillfully revealed in the best works of folk art. In 17-19 centuries, Belarusian masters — straw weavers — produced a neat work of high complexity: church icon-painting gates. Now they are stored in museum collections. The modern straw weaving art in Belarus is based on the collective traditions of folk craft and is continuously enriched by the creative achievements of individual masters. Modern masters skillfully use the boundless expressive, decorative, and plastic potential of straw weaving, constantly developing and improving them with new artistic methods and techniques. They pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation in educational institutions, art palaces, and craft centers by conducting workshops and training sessions during festivals and artisan fairs, as well as using modern communication tools</span>