Maslenitsa

Russian:  Мaсленица

Estonian: Vastlapäev

German: Butterwoche

Spanish:  Mantequilla

Dutch: Vastenavond

English: Butter Week, Crepe week, Cheesefare Week

The oldest surviving Slavic religious and folk holiday, celebrated during the last week before Great Lent, that is, the eighth week before Eastern Orthodox Pascha (Easter). 

On the pagan side, Maslenitsa is a sun festival, celebration of the imminent end of the winter.

On the Christian side, Maslenitsa is the last week before the Lent.

bliny

(pancakes)

Symbols of Maslenitsa:

samovar and bagels

Effigy

bear

circle wheel

Monday is the welcoming of “Lady Maslenitsa” (встречи). The community builds the Maslenitsa effigy out of straw, decorated with pieces of rags. It is paraded around and the first pancakes may be made and offered to the poor.

On Tuesday (заигрыши), young men might search for a fiancée to marry after lent.

On Wednesday (лакомка) sons-in-law may visit their mother-in-law who has prepared pancakes and invited other guests for a party.

Thursday (разгул) may be devoted to outdoor activities. People may take off work and spend the day sledding, ice skating, snowball fights and with sleigh rides.

Maslenitsa week

Maslenitsa lives seven days. Each day of Maslenitsa had its traditional activity.

On Friday (тёщины вечёрки) sons-in-law may invite their mothers-in-law for dinner.

Saturday (золовкины посиделки) may be a gathering of a young wife with her sisters-in-law to work on a good relationship.

The last day is called "Forgiveness Sunday" (Прощённое Воскресенье). Relatives and friends ask each other for forgiveness and might offer them small presents. As the culmination of the celebration people gather to "strip Lady Maslenitsa of her finery" and burn her in a bonfire. Left-over pancakes may also be thrown into the fire and Lady Maslenitsa's ashes are buried in the snow to "fertilize the crops". (wikipedia)

Monday:

Meetings

Maslenitsa Monday in the past

Maslenitsa Monday nowadays

Maslenitsa Tuesday in the past

Tuesday:

Games

Maslenitsa Tuesday nowadays

Maslenitsa Wednesday in the past

Wednesday:

Feasting

Maslenitsa Wednesday nowadays

Thursday:

Revelry

Maslenitsa Thursday in the past

Maslenitsa Thursday nowadays