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Maslenitsa Pagan Festival
Not yet published by Mona Rae, Writer
Country: Russian Federation 
The Experience
At the end of winter and the beginning of spring Russia begins a series of celebrations. They celebrate the Maslenitsa Pagan festival. They make pancakes and have also been nicknamed the pancake week. There is a popular saying in Russia that the first pancake is always spoiled, Maslenitsa means butter in the Russian language and they say that the pancake is like sun and is warm enough for the butter. This is the oldest surviving festival of the country. In the last week of spring the Russians go on a 48 days lent means fasting. So they also remark this festival as feasting before fasting. The main dish prepared during this festival is varieties of pancakes. It is also the best time to enjoy pancakes after a long cold winter. Pancakes are called blini and are maslenista tradition. It is perfect because it involves all the ingredients like milk, eggs and butter, which are perfect before lent.
Some of the other traditions that are continued during this festival are dances, street performances, snowball fights and also fireworks. This festival is held for one week. It starts on a Monday and ends on the following Sunday. The Maslenitsa Doll which represents the chilly winter is burnt at the end of the festival. It is a norm to visit people’s houses during the week and the visitors are always fed sumptuous pancakes. On Sunday they attend the culmination and ask for forgiveness and get rid of all grudges. The old tradition is still being continued but in modern ways. These days’ people make small Maslenitsa Dolls so that they can be kept at home. These dolls are similar to the Russian Matushka dolls. They make great collectibles.
The Maslenitsa festival is celebrated all over Russia. However there are no fixed dates for the festival to begin. The Russians look at the calendar and the end of season and then mark the beginning of the festival by announcing it locally. However one can know just a week before for the exact dates. In case you would like to make bookings, then keep a close watch on the Russian weather and when the spring is likely to begin. The spring is heralded using the calendar and on the sunniest day of the week. After that it is officially declared as spring.
The spring herald several things for the Russian. They start having a social life after suffering from a cooped up bitter winter. That is why this is a very special festival for them. People wear the most colorful clothes they own and even make newer clothes during this festival. The streets are colorful and always there are performances like dance and music held. All Russian festivals involve drinking of Vodka.
If visiting Russia in spring, make sure you carry some light warm clothes. Spring would have just begun and it is still cold in Russia at that time. The best thing to do here is enjoy the culture and festival. You can also plan to visit some places. You will encounter the same traditions no matter where you travel within Russia.
The Maslenitsa festival is celebrated all over Russia. However there are no fixed dates for the festival to begin. The Russians look at the calendar and the end of season and then mark the beginning of the festival by announcing it locally. However one can know just a week before for the exact dates. In case you would like to make bookings, then keep a close watch on the Russian weather and when the spring is likely to begin. The spring is heralded using the calendar and on the sunniest day of the week. After that it is officially declared as spring.
The spring herald several things for the Russian. They start having a social life after suffering from a cooped up bitter winter. That is why this is a very special festival for them. People wear the most colorful clothes they own and even make newer clothes during this festival. The streets are colorful and always there are performances like dance and music held. All Russian festivals involve drinking of Vodka.
If visiting Russia in spring, make sure you carry some light warm clothes. Spring would have just begun and it is still cold in Russia at that time. The best thing to do here is enjoy the culture and festival. You can also plan to visit some places. You will encounter the same traditions no matter where you travel within Russia.
When to Go
February and march are the best time of the year to visit this festival in Russia
Odds n' Ends
If visiting Russia in spring, make sure you carry some light warm clothes. Spring would have just begun and it is still cold in Russia at that time.
Places to Eat
- Cafe Pushkin
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