Waisnorian Cultural Canon

Waisnorian Cultural Canon was established in 2023 in Waisnor to "highlight the greatest works of art done in Waisnor and by Waisnorians". With the the committee assigned with the creation of the canon created in June of 2023, full list was revealed in August of 2023, consisting of 70 entries, divided into 7 categories 10 entries each: folklore, architecture, theatre, music, cinema, visual arts, and literature. It was also stated that the canon was open to further induction in the future. Waisnorian Cultural Canon also served as showcase of Waisnorian culture to the world with possibilities of future tours and translations of included works, especially in the WMCA aliance.

Folklore

Name	Significance
Traditional Waisnorian dances, including šerahovka	Waisnorian traditional dances are one of the main and earliest parts of Waisnorian identity, developing on their own around 9th - 10th century and after that passing through generations to reach modern day. Dances accompanied many important moments of person's life, like a birth, wedding or funeral. The most well-known of them is šerahovka - a dance involving people lining up in two or more lines and dances involving interaction of said lines between together. In 2013, Waisnorian traditions of dances were included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Traditions and customs of Waisnorian wood-cutting	Wood-cutting was an integral part of Waisnorian culture for centuries and the one that is greatly cultivated in the present day through several centres of education. Wood-cutting is Waisnor greatly features geometrical and elaborate natural patterns, sometimes depicting scenes of wildlife and village life. Another distinctive feature is the usage of tree bark, either as framing or to highlight some parts of the cutting. Wood-cutting is present in modern-day Waisnor through not only souvenirs, but also home appliances like cupboards, doors and jewelry boxes. This tradition was also included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2017.
Marian celebration of the icon of Our Lady of Budlsau	The history of Marian celebrations begins in the beginning of 17th century, when several miraculous healings from such illnesses as blindness and epilepsy were attributed to the icon. Since then, there were recordings of many pilgrimages to Budslav, where the icon resided in Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traditions of yearly pilgrimages survived through Russian Empire and Second Carrelian period, before being phased out during Soviet times. But during independence years, cult of the icon resurfaced with yearly pilgrimages resuming. In 2018, these celebrations were also included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Special art of flower wreaths weaving	For centuries, flower wreath weaving was one of the arts every young woman knew and cherished, with some continuing to do so in modern times. This art was prominent due to symbolism of resulting wreaths - every flower in it had a unique meaning, and combinations of flowers could telegraph some important messages (there were recordings of people communicating with each other with these wreaths). Nowadays this art is once again cultivated in rural area, and there are several shops in Waisnor specialising on making wreaths for special occasions.
Christmas King of the Hill celebrations	One of the main features of Waisnorian celebrations of Christmas is the massive King of the Hill play. In past centuries, there were times when all the boys and girls in the village were playing this game before returning to their homes for a Christmas feast. The tradition started to die down in 20th century, but in 2000's it managed to recover of once again become the integral part of Christmas celebrations. But there were some features added - the game could be played in building made from snow, like castles, or mix up with other activities like snowball fights.
Stork pattern of Miory	Stork pattern, which originated in the town of Miory somewhere in 14th century, involves sophisticated geometrical patterns and always depicts a stork, either flying or standing on his leg. Since then, the pattern was depicted on dresses, towels, curtains and more, with some variations in term of patterns but keeping in theme with two rules of Miory pattern. Over time this pattern became a symbol of pride among citizens of Miory and Waisnor as a whole, given that it was depicting the national animal of Waisnor.
Traditional fortune-telling carols of Waisnor	These carols were answers for Waisnorians wanting to look into future for centuries. Usually performed at the beginning of the year, these carols usually involved calling the higher forces to give them guidance and to tell them what awaits them in the future. These are many variations of these carols depending on the subjects - about love, harvests, birth of a child, death, and life in general. The carols still live in modern Waisnor through intense documentation of them in folklore works, and also sometimes used in popular music (for example in of the endings of "5th Department).
Brewing of traditional beer drinks	Waisnor has a robust beer culture, taking roots from Kievan Rus times when there were several beer-like drinks in Waisnor. Some of them did include hop or malt in the recipe, but brewers relied on local herbs, and so, drinks varied in alcohol concentration, with being considered safe even for children, while others were known as really strong. Brewing traditions were reintroduced to Waisnor in independence era, when such drinks became Waisnorian alternatives to Western craft beer.
Traditional Waisnorian folk dresses	Waisnorian dresses are one of the intergal parts of national folklore, often showing up in modern depictions of Waisnorian rural life. One of the main features of Waisnorian folk dress are the ribbons of different colours which are woven into the dress. Beads were also present in the dress, often accompanying the main part. There were also intricate and colourful parts woven on mostly white surface of the dress. Waisnorian folk dress is still used in modern times, often as a part of folklore celebrations, but some people can make their traditional dresses into wedding ones simply by adding a veil.
Vakanki	Vakanki are Waisnorian celebrations of relatives and friends and honorings of those who passed away, usually held in the summer. For centuries, Vakanki were a break for Waisnorians from summer work and allowed them to have some rest. Moreover, it was an opportunity for Waisnorians to meet with their family members who were far away for them rest of the year. Vakanki are one of the oldest cultural traditions of Waisnor, with first recordings about them made in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth period. After surviving Russian Empire, both Carrelie periods and Soviet Union, Vakanki are still frequently held in modern Waisnor, now also being held in cities.

Architecture

Name	Architect	Year	Signficance	Building
Kalozha Church	Unknown	1180s	Kalozha Church is the only surviving monument of Black Ruthenian architecture, distinguished from other styles of Orthodox architecture by usage of polychrome stones of different colours to arrange different figures from them, like crosses. Kalozha Church is also the oldest extant structure in Grodno. In 2012, Kalozha Church was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lida Castle	Unknown	1323 - 1325	Lida Castle is one of the most recognisable buildings in all of Waisnor, being built in 14th century by the decree of Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, surviving through Russo-Polish War of 1654-1667 and Great Northern War. In 18th and 19th centuries, castle was left severely damaged, but in 1980s a major restoration campaign was started, ending in a almost total restoration of the castle. In the present day, Lida Castle houses medieval tournaments and different folk celebrations.
Mir Castle	Jerzy Iwanowicz Ilinicz	1520 - 1527	Mir Castle is the most well-known example of "Waisnorian Gothic" architecture, characterised by combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. This castle is also significant for being a place of residence for several noble families like Radziwiłł and Svyatopolk-Mirsky, the latter being the most well-known noble family from Waisnor. Mir Castle is also the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Waisnor, being included in the list on 2000.
Grodno Bell Tower	Jan Krzemiński	1640	Since the erection in 17th century, Grodno Bell Tower is one of the most recognisable buildings of Waisnor. It was most well-known from their role in many important political events - often, ringing of the bell signified a moment when the nation rose up in protest or punctuated a change in power. In modern Waisnor, a special melody is played on the bell signaling the start and end of voting on elections.
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral	Michał Wojciechowski	1687 - 1705	St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Grodno is possibly the most well-known building in Waisnor and a main place of attraction for Roman Catholics, the biggest religious congregation of Waisnor. The cathedral also became of the biggest and most important baroque basilicas in Europe. This cathedral also served as a place of defying Soviet rule, when from 1960 to 1987 people attended the church every Sunday for a prayer even when official religious services were discontinued. In 1990, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral was granted the title of minor basilica.
House of Kreutzer	Vladimir Kreutzer	1912	House of Kreutzer, also known as "House with lilies", is the greatest example of Waisnorian modern architecture. House got such nickname thanks to intricate, but playful lily ornaments on the house. The "fame" of the house was multiplied by love affairs involving the Vladimir's daughter, drugs and several big scandals. Surviving to this day, "House with lilies" is often a meeting place of loving pairs and close friends.
House of the Gunner	Vladislav Zhuravlev	1924 - 1926	House of the Gunner in Smorgon is the first constructivist building in Waisnor, built to be used by a para-military association called "Shooting Union" during Second Carrelie Period. This building serves as the symbol of 1920's and the Second Carrelie Period in Waisnorian architecture. During Soviet times, it was transformed into a training facility, most notable for being a place where world-known gymnast Olga Korbut practised. Nowadays, the house is transformed into a museum of constructivism.
Building of the Grodno Dramatic Theatre	Gennady Machulsky	1984	Building of the Grodno Dramatic Theatre is regarded as the outstanding example of Soviet modernism and one of the most beautiful modernist buildings in the whole of Western Europe, with light and round outlines and some parts of neofuturism and expressionism present in the building. The building is still in frequent usage, housing the theatre and many important cultural events, often landing in the centre of cultural zeitgeist.
Millenium Centre	Dmitry Malinovsky	2000	Millenium Centre is the all-purpose center located in Molodechno, opened in 2000 to house different events - press conferences, debates, even contests and stand-up nights. The main idea of the building was to bridge 20th and 21st centuries with architecture, using brick walls and materials of 20th century and forms and outlines of 21st century. Millenium Centre is the most recognisable building of Molodechno, being at center of the city life quite frequently, while being a striking example of post-Soviet Waisnorian architecture and it's capability of being of the cutting edge of worldwide trends.
Library of the Braslav University	Denis Moroz	2011	Library of the Braslav University is one of the most recognisable examples of Waisnorian modern architecture with clean lines and unusual forms being immediately memorable. Immediately, the building of the library was recognized abroad, becoming a driving force for students to enroll into the university. Moreover, the international success of the library became a drive for other architects to try new ideas, signifying the full introduction of modern architecture into Waisnor.

Theatre

Name	Writer	Year	Signficance
"Wild Strawberries"	Fedor Khudenko	1886	This play describes the lives and worries of Waisnorian elites after the Alexander II assasination, with heavy themes of fear of repressions after the more conservative Alexander III ascended to the throne. Overall, this is considered the first Waisnorian theatre play, with the glory amplified by the questions from censor boards. Moreover, this theme also established the theme of not only common people, but also elites striving for more freedom.
"Boyish Fables"	Ilya Kuzmichev	1919	"Boyish Fables" described the life of a boy named Nikita, who in form of a dramatized monologue tells the story of his life from 1913 to the present day, starting with Nikita working at the glass factory, going through revolutionary movement, Waisnorian People's Republic period and joining the Carrelian militia. That was the first Waisnorian play to be acclaimed worldwide, applauded for it well-developed story and original story ideas. That was also the first play to try to understand the WPR period, starting the trend in Waisnorian Carrelie and later Waisnorian emigree stage for several decades.
Scene and costume designs of Léon Bakst for Ballets Russes	Léon Bakst	1908 - 1922	Léon Bakst is the most well-known Waisnorian artist worldwide, mainly known for his scene and costume work for Sergey Dyagilev's Ballets Russes. Distinguished for their lavish, exotic and orientalist approach to art, his works were recognised all over the world, with exhibitions organized in USA, France and Carrelie, even more countries considering Ballets Russes on tour. Bakst was first Waisnorian to impact worldwide art tendencies - his work was one of the launching points of fashion for orientalism in European art in the beginning of 20th century.
"The Burden of Defeat"	Kazimierz Jaworski	1921	"The Burden of Defeat" tell a story of Waisnor returning to peaceful life after World War I and the soldiers living in the new reality, adjusting to the world without war. This play is considered to be a start of "Waisnorian Lost Generation", telling stories about the war and peace of the 1920's, while also being it's shining gem. The qualify of the writing is amplified by the superb actor performances, with stand-outs being works of Jadwiga Goldberg and Konstantin Mishin.
The art of the "Scenics"	Andrey Potapov, Anton Saroka and others	1920-30s	"Scenics" were a group of theatre writers creating plays mixing up avant-garde and folklore in their art creating highly artistic and provocative works. The most well-known piece of "Scenics" art is "Wanderers" by Anton Saroka, becoming well-known in high class European theater circle. "Scenics" are one of the most important Waisnorian avant-garde performers, showing that folklore still had a right to be in modern Waisnorian culture, laying the groundwork for several generations of writers.