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Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday Maslenitsa starts today, February 12. Orthodox Christians celebrate beginning of Maslenitsa on Monday. The word “Maslenitsa” roughly translates as a “Butter Week”. Maslenitsa week will end with Sunday of Forgiveness followed by the Great Lent.
During seven days Orthodox Christians can eat traditional Russian 'blini' (crepes) prepared with a in yeast raised dough. Traditionally, crepes are eaten with caviar, or smoked salmon, other typical ingredients include melted butter, sour-cream, herring, Russian salads.
The crepe reminds the sun, therefore this celebration comes from the pagan tradition praising the God of Sun. There's a special tradition to eat the crepes on Monday with friends and relatives, Tuesday to engage in all sorts of activities such as sleigh riding, folk festivals and puppet shows. On Wednesday sons-in-law were treated with pancakes in their mothers-in-law homes, and on Friday mothers-in-law were invited to the houses of their sons-in-law. Thursday is the climax of games and fun, including fistfights and other games outside. Saturday is dedicated to the sister-in-law's gathering.
The most engaging event takes place on the last day of Maslenitsa, it's a solemn burning of the stuffed figure of winter, saying good-bye to winter and hello to the coming spring.
While now in big cities people don't carry all the traditions, it's very typical to cook mountains of crepes on Saturday and invite as many guests as possible, or visit relatives and friends. Russian compatriots abroad like to keep this tradition as well.
Russkiy Mir
