Guest Author - Marianne Gibson

Maslenitsa is the Russian version of Pancake Day, with bells on. This week-long burst of energy gives people a much needed boost at the end of winter.

The name of the festival comes from the Russian word for butter, which is ‘maslo’, and certainly the feasting on blini that takes place uses a lot of it. The winter supplies are used up before Great Lent begins, when for 6 weeks the faithful forego dairy.

Although now important in the Orthodox calendar, the pagan origins of Maslenitsa are plain for all to see, and it could be thought of as a better-preserved equivalent to the Celtic festival of Imbolc. Maslenitsa marks the end of winter and the start of the agricultural cycle, and is very much tied to the idea of death and renewal, waking the land up. Pancakes or blini represent the round, warm sun, which it is hoped will bring vitality to the soil once again. On the final day of the festival, a wooden or straw effigy of a woman is burned, representing the death of the old year, clearing the way for rebirth. Were people sacrificed in this ritual at one time? I have no reason to think so.

Another Maslenitsa ritual involves large numbers of people dressing in traditional costume, storming a bank or wall of snow, and having a huge and uproarious snow fight. This one is entered into with enthusiasm by young and old alike, in the rough yet vital spirit of old Russia.

In recent times, Maslenitsa has become a focus for those interested in preserving Russian folk heritage. As such, traditional fairs are organized with old entertainments like stilt walking, skipping games and fighting(!). The easiest one for the tourist to get to is of course the festival behind Red Square in Moscow. Aside from that, people get out and walk the central streets, buy silly hats with plaits on which somehow represent Russia, wave flags and drink vodka. I saw no evidence of the orgies that apparently accompanied Russian festivals in ancient times, but nonetheless, people make merry.

Much of the year central Moscow so seems empty of anyone but tourists and ‘elitniy’ Muscovites that Maslenitsa comes like a breath of fresh air. All over the country it’s an ancient festival with a spirited atmosphere, one which is certainly worth a visit to see.

S Prazdnikom! (I congratulate you on the holiday!)