The Traditions of Celebrating Maslenitsa

The Traditions of Celebrating Maslenitsa Maslenitsa week in 2012 starts on February 20 The main features of Maslenitsa is a cycle of folk holidays that has been observed in Russia since pagan times, celebrating the end of winter, the welcoming of spring and remembering dead ancestors Contrary to popular belief, pancakes were not a symbol of the sun among the Slavs and were a dish of remembrance Maslenitsa are pancakes and folk festivals The Days of Maslenitsa Mother-in-law Welcoming Ice slides, swings and fairs are opened, pancakes are made and the first pancake is given to the poor evenings Mothers-in-law eat pancakes at the homes of their sons-in-law 26.02 Sunday 20.02 24.02 Monday Friday The start of festivities People sled down hills and eat pancakes, unmarried girls have their fortunes told Send-Off The last day is the highlight of the entire week of Masenitsa - Winter is burned in effigy Daughter-in-law parties Young daughters-in-law 21.02 and the ashes are scattered across the Tuesday fields invite their 25.02 husbands relatives and shower them with Saturday Sweet-tooth gifts Sons-in-law eat pancakes at the homes of their mothers-in-law, dining room tables are covered 22.02 Fat Thursday Fat shrovetide begins and many pancakes are made and eaten. The last day of Maslenitsa The holiday ends with mass celebrations, jumping over a fire, singing and dancing with lavish spreads, food Wednesday stalls line the streets 23.02 People make merry, drink, dance,go sledding, engage in fistfights and other public amusements Thursday Traditional pancake beliefs Exceptional people prefer pancakes with caviar Loyal people prefer pancakes with jam Affectionate people prefer pancakes with butter Flighty people prefer pancakes with salmon Generous people prefer pancakes with cream cheese Annoying people prefer pancakes with boiled eggs Bland people prefer pancakes with sour cream C RIANOVOSTI © 2012 WWW.RIA.RU