БЛИНЫ И ПОЦЕЛУИ СЧЕТА НЕ ЛЮБЯТ! ONE SHOULD NOT COUNT KISSES AND PANCAKES!

Russian spring holidays. Maslenitsa

To many students who come to learn Russian language in Petrozavodsk becoming a part of main Russian holidays seems to be the most exciting opportunity.  Russian New Year and Russian Old New year (to be discussed later), Orthodox Christmas and Victory day are well-known in comparison to some other Russian holidays like Maslenitsa (Масленица). The spring holiday is devoted to bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring. And to solve out this uneasy double task people in Russia need the whole week. Pancake week (also known as Butter week)! It is one of the most colorful, bright and tasty Russian holidays which has its origins in Russian pre-Chrisitian times.

How do Russian people celebrate Maslenitsa?

The holiday is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. For the whole Maslenitsa week all dairy products are permitted and because of that it’s also known as “cheese-fare week”. What is more, Russian people can not imagine living these 7 days without pancakes. Traditionally it was a symbol of sun and warmth and even in modern days people bake a lot of pancakes  especially from Thursday to Sunday. The last day is devoted to asking for each other forgiveness and is called “Forgiveness Sunday”. That last day is the time when the full-scale celebration starts: with sledding and ice-skating, snowball competitions and sleigh rides, outdoor competitions and performances. The key element here is burning Maslenitsa Lady (made of straw and fabric) on a bonfire. Ashes might be thrown in the snow to fertilize the soil.

Maslenitsa was praised in songs and masterpieces of many Russian artists and poets. Alexander Pushkin, Michail Lermontov, Pyotr Vyazemsky were describing the holiday as one of the most favorite, exciting and desirable for Slavic people.

Russian proverbs about Maslenitsa and  Pancake week

• Масленица семь дней гуляет (Maslenitsa is being celebrated for 7 days)
• И самый хладнокровный человек любит горячие блины (Even the most dispassionate person loves pancakes)
• Не житье, а Масленица! (life is Maslenitsa/ life is a bed of roses)
• На горах покататься, в блинах поваляться  (To go downhill sledding, to have a roll on the pancakes)
  
  To celebrate Maslenitsa in Russia In 2018 choose  group or individual course and come to Petrozavodsk in spring!