After an icy winter, many European countries celebrate the beginning of spring. In Slavic countries, namely Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, these festivities come in the form of the week-long Maslenitsa festival! Featuring ancient folklore, vibrant social activities and plenty of pancakes, Maslenitsa may just be the best festival you’ve never heard of!
If you’d like to know more about Maslenitsa, look no further than this comprehensive Expat Explore guide!
What is Maslenitsa?
Maslenitsa is an ancient celebration dating back to Pagan times. It is unique in that it comprises both Orthodox Christian and Pagan elements. Therefore, Maslenitsa celebrates two major events in both ancestries: the welcoming of spring (Pagan) and the last week before Lent (Christian). As Lent traditionally brings about a strict fast, Maslenitsa allows for a week of pure gluttony, especially when it comes to pancakes! Lent traditionally prohibits dancing, secular music and parties, which is why the Maslenitsa period offers plenty of fun festivities. The week-long festival is not only seen as a joyful celebration but as a way to prepare for the fast ahead.
When is Maslenitsa?
The date of Maslenitsa changes every year depending on when Easter falls. It is celebrated in the last week before Great Lent which is eight weeks before Eastern Orthodox Pascha or Easter. The date of Orthodox Easter can sometimes be completely different to Western Christian Easter. Regardless of its exact date, Maslenitsa always begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Each day holds special significance and is dedicated to different activities.
In 2022, Maslentisa begins on Monday 28 February and ends on Sunday 6 March.
Related: Discover more exciting European events in 2022!
What’s the deal with the pancakes?
Pancakes, or blini in Russian, are a vital part of the Maslenitsa celebrations! The word Maslenitsa loosely translates to “butter week”. Russian pancakes are extremely buttery! Eating dairy products is not allowed during Lent, meaning that Maslenitsa is your last chance to eat butter, cheese and pancakes before the forty days of Lent. Pancakes are also said to symbolise the sun and, therefore, fill those who eat them with warmth and energy. In Russia, pancakes are also said to symbolise birth and death. The circular shape is also a sacred figure, believed to protect people from evil.
The goal is to eat as many blini as possible throughout the week of Maslenitsa, and also to eat many times throughout the day! These crêpe-like pancakes are made every day of the week and are usually drenched in butter. They can be eaten plain or with a variety of sweet and savoury fillings. Common fillings are jams, cheese, sour cream and caviar! In Belarus and Ukraine, pierogies (filled dumplings) are commonly eaten as well as syrinki (fried curd cheese pancakes).
How is Maslenitsa celebrated?
Every day of the week has its own name and brings about different activities, customs and traditions during Maslenitsa! While many of these old fashioned customs are no longer celebrated in modern Slavic countries, plenty of festivities still take place in big cities like Moscow. These traditions are more closely adhered to in rural areas.
Here’s what to expect on each day during Maslenitsa:
Monday – Welcoming Day
Monday is the first official day of Maslenitsa and is used to prepare for the festivities of the week ahead. People spend the day visiting friends and family and cooking blini. The first pancake should be shared with the poor. Monday also sees the “birth” of Lady Maslenitsa, a straw doll dressed in colourful rags which is paraded around. She is often placed on a snowy hill to represent winter.
Tuesday – Game Day
Tuesday is all about fun! Locals, especially young people, usually spend Tuesday outside making the most of what may be the last of the winter snow. Some of the most popular activities include sleigh riding, sledding and watching Petrushka; puppet shows. Back in the day, sleigh rides were used as a means of matchmaking and men would kiss any women passing on the streets! These days, women can partake in the festivities without worrying about unwanted affection. In big cities, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment with many concerts and fairs lining the streets.
Wednesday – Sweet Day
That’s right… get ready for a full day dedicated to even more pancakes! This is a day of pure indulgence. Many households will host a feast while local restaurants and cafés offer special menus with a wide variety of different blini. Traditionally, mothers-in-law would invite their sons-in-law to their home to try their homemade pancakes on this day. Street stalls may also pop-up in some areas offering warm beverages, gingerbread, nuts and other local treats.
Thursday – Revelry Day
If you thought those first three days sounded like fun, wait until Thursday comes around! Thursday is when the party really begins. Previously, this was the day for fist fighting but today, the activities are far more civil! Many people will take this day off work to fully celebrate Maslenitsa. Lady Maslenitsa will be on display today as people carry her around while sledding, singing, dancing and just having a good time. Another tradition involves children going to different houses and asking strangers for pancakes. It is believed that this custom may have been adopted by Americans in the form of Halloween trick or treating!
Friday – Mothers-in-law Evening
Wednesday is for the sons-in-law but Friday turns this around. A son-in-law could use this day to show their appreciation to their mother-in-law by making blini for them! Son-in-laws would be heavily judged by their pancake making and should they fail to make them, this would be considered very disrespectful by the in-laws. These days, however, Friday is just meant for quality time amongst families, but still with pancakes!
Saturday – Sisters-in-law Gathering
In the past, newly-wed wives would invite their sister-in-law around to bond and, you guessed it, eat some pancakes. Today, Saturday holds more family gatherings, outdoor activities, concerts, fairs, games for kids and, of course, pancakes!
Sunday – Forgiveness Day
Slavic people use this day, the last day before Great Lent, to ask for forgiveness. By asking for forgiveness and by forgiving others, they can start Lent off on a clean slate. In the evening, people will visit the graves of relatives to bid farewell to the dead. Sunday is generally considered the most important day of Maslenitsa and offers the biggest public celebrations. It’s also the last day to stuff your face with pancakes before the big fast! The end of Maslenitsa is marked by the burning of the Lady Maslenitsa doll, symbolising the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The day after Maslenitsa, the first day of Lent, is referred to as “Clean Monday”. People will fast from forbidden food, take a bath and clean the dishes – washing away any grease from the now-banned pancakes. Aside from dairy, fish, olive oil and wine are also forbidden during Lent.
Fascinated by Slavic culture and want to explore this region? Have a look at our tours which travel to Belarus, Ukraine or Russia!