MASLENITSA - Russia
Maslenitsa, also known as Pancake Week, is celebrated in Russia the seventh week before Easter. The holiday combines the Great Lent of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church with ancient sun festivals and the end of winter. Maslenitsa comes from the Russian word maslo, which means butter or oil. During Great Lent dairy and animal products are forbidden, as are alcohol, dancing and music. The festival is also known as Pancake Week because the essential element is the Bliny, or Russian Pancake. Bliny are round, golden brown and symbolize the sun. Traditioanlly they are served with butter, cream and caviar.
Each day of the week of Maslenitsa is traditionally designated for a different activity. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for playing and merrymaking including snowball fights, sledding, Balagans (comedy show booths) and bear performances. There are days for taking Bliny to the porr and for visiting family.
On Friday the people dress up a straw effigy called a Kostroma, or Lady Maslenitsa on a day of sledding and singing. At sunset the Lady is consigned to a bonfire and any extra bliny are thrown into the flames. The last day of Maslenitsa is Forgiveness Sunday, when people ask each others forgiveness before the beginning of Lent.
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More Maslenitsa traditions and activities
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