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Russia Celebrates Maslenitsa

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Russia Celebrates Maslenitsa


08.02.2010

Celebrations of a pagan Russian holiday Maslenitsa kicks off today in Russia. Maslenitsa or the Pancake Week is celebrated during the week preceding the Great Lent, and seven weeks before Easter.

In Russia Maslenitsa has always been the time for merry festivals marking the end of winter. Pancakes, which are traditionally cooked all week long, symbolize the sun and the coming spring. Each day of Maslenitsa has a special significance, including sharing pancakes with your family, your in-laws, and the poor. The last day of Maslenitsa is Forgiveness Sunday, a time when you make sure you are at peace with those around you and begin Lent guilt free.

In Moscow traditional Pancake celebrations take place on Red Square. In recent years Russian Maslenista has become an international event, the news service Voice of Russia reports. In 2009 London started to host the Maslenitsa Festival of Russian Culture featuring performances by popular Russian folk, rock and pop bands and traditional Russian food.

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