Holiday Maslenitsa in Ukraine and Russia

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Maslenitsa Maslenitsa (Butter Week) is one of the most popular and cheerful religious holidays in Ukraine and Russia. This holiday is also known as Pancake Week. During this holiday we celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Maslenitsa is celebrated the 7th week before Orthodox Easter, in the last week before the start of Great Lent. The key symbol of Maslenitsa are pancakes - round, golden and warm, they represent the sun and the welcoming of spring. The other symbol of the celebrations is Lady Maslenitsa – a colorfully dressed scarecrow. At the end of the holiday, poor Lady Maslenitsa is burnt in a bonfire which is the way of saying goodbye to the winter. Apart from that, people enjoy the time with carnivals, sleigh-riding, sledding or snowball battles. Every day of Maslenitsa plays a great role. The 7 Days of Butter Week Monday – Meeting Together with the grown-ups, children made a Maslenitsa doll out of straw and old women’s clothes. They placed it at the top of the snow hill, from where people were sliding down. Ukrainian people believe that happiness and joy which they feel during this day will accompany them throughout a year. Tuesday – Games On Tuesday people play games. They go outdoors to play in the snow, making snowballs and playing other games. Adults build a snow and ice castle. Clowns sing their songs and show performance. Men are allowed to kiss any passing woman on the streets during this day. Wednesday - Sweet Day On this day women bake pancakes which are called "blini". People usually visit their friends and relatives and treat each other with pancakes. Pancakes are the most popular food which is made during this holiday. They are served with butter, sour cream, mushrooms or caviar. Thursday -Playing Thursday On Thursday by tradition people try to drive away winter by riding on horses around the village or

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