How to Celebrate Maslenitsa

Опубликовал Admin
9-11-2016, 22:48
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For seven days between February or March, Maslenitsa festivities take place all across Russia and its many regions. Also known as ‘butter week’ or ‘pancake week,’ the traditional Russian festival is famous for its blini (pancakes) with many fillings and toppings, from sour cream to caviar to salmon, and all things sweet! Maslenitsa celebrates the passing of Winter, when Russians are eager to head into the streets and celebrate the long-awaited arrival of Spring.

Steps

  1. Eat. On the first day of Maslenitsa, Russians usually eat their first (of many) blini at 5pm on Monday, with festivities continuing late into the evening. Russians feast on traditional round and golden pancakes made up of rich foods still allowed by the Orthodox tradition, mainly butter, eggs and milk.
  2. Be active. The second day of Maslenitsa is for young people. Russians, young and old, traditionally take part in snow sledding or go for winter walks.
  3. Indulge your sweet tooth. Day three is the ‘sweet day’ of Maslenitsa, where restaurants and cafes in Russia’s major cities offer special menus with a huge variety of blini to try.
  4. Celebrate with family and friends. On the fourth day ice skating and feasting are common, as the Great Lent fast approaches. Gorky Park skating rink in particular comes alive with Russians celebrating Maslenitsa.
  5. Spend time with your loved ones. Traditionally day 5 is for mothers and especially mothers-in-laws. Families often stroll through parks across Russia to spend time together.
  6. Play winter sports. When the weekend comes, the Maslenitsa celebrations are even grander. As it’s nearly the end of winter, day 6 is a good time to make the most of Russia’s winter sports activities.
  7. Give forgiveness. Sunday is the final day, day of forgiving - when people forgive the wrongs done against them and burn the Maslenitsa mascot, a straw doll dressed in a female costume with a pancake in her hand. This practice has become an almost iconic symbol of the festival of Maslenitsa, and the imminent end of winter.

Tips

  • Maslenitsa is well-known for its seven days of festivities and final dose of gluttony, as it’s the last week that Orthodox Russians can eat dairy before Lent - so make the most of the huge range of food available, and indulge!
  • In Moscow alone, more than 500 events are planned to celebrate the Slavic folk holiday, which in 2014 takes place from February 24 to March 2. The main events are set in the city’s parks, museum clusters and estates, as well as along pedestrian streets in Russian cities.
  • Maslenitsa contains both pagan and Christian traditions and is celebrated in last week before Great Lent, or the seventh week before Eastern Orthodox Easter, so many traditional dishes served and prepared will not include meat.
  • Sunday is Maslenitsa day of forgiving - when people forgive the wrongs done against them and burn the Maslenitsa mascot. Although in general it's a day where Russians are kind and courteous to everyone around them, so feel free to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Warnings

  • If you're planning to go ice skating in Gorky Park in Moscow during Maslenitsa, head down to the ice rink early or be prepared to wait in long lines.
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