Belarusian women celebrate Rusalle festival

Belarusian women eat and drink as they take part in the Rusalle festival (the holiday of mermaids) in the village of Sosny, about 200 km (124 miles) south of Minsk, June 30, 2013.The festival is an ancient tradition originating from pagan times, in which women sing and dance around a campfire, throw their wreaths into a river and choose a leader of the mermaids, in a belief that the leader will protect the harvest.[Photo/Agencies]

Belarusian women drink vodka as they take part in the Rusalle festival (the holiday of mermaids) in the village of Sosny, about 200 km (124 miles) south of Minsk, June 30, 2013.[Photo/Agencies]