Although Maslenitsa is considered to be one of Russia’s oldest folk celebrations, the exact date has been lost to time and so is now celebrated one week before Lent. Each day of the week is devoted to a special Maslenitsa ritual.
Monday is the opening of Maslenitsa. On that day, people made a straw-stuffed figure of Winter, dressed it in old women’s clothing and carried it on sleigh around the village, singing old folk songs and hymns. The figure was put on top of a snow-covered slope and would stay there until the end of the festivities to be burnt.
Tuesday was called “zaigrysh” (game day). On this day the whole village organized different activities: sleigh riding, folk markets, concerts, travelling actors and puppet shows. The streets were full of people in costumes and masks and an overall jolly atmosphere reigned. As per tradition, people visited each other’s homes with gifts. Unfortunately, it is now a rarity in Russia, but Maslenitsa would never have been without a bear show or two…
On Wednesdays, huge feasts were organized in people’s houses and streets. Neighbors and relatives, especially mother-in-laws, treated their new son-in-laws to a lot of food and people would visit each other, tasting blinis (pancakes), pies and gingerbread, home-brewed beer and hot spice teas.
Thursdays were reserved for the fist-fights and Fridays and Saturdays were a chance for newlyweds to thank and pay their respects to their families. Kissing competitions for newlyweds were organized outside their homes and they were paraded around the towns in hand-painted sleighs, while people would throw old shoes or straw at them. Maslenitsa was also a celebration of families who had recently come together through marriage.
On Sundays, a huge bonfire was built to burn the figure of Winter and finally welcome Spring. People would also burn all the uneaten food as a type of cleansing in preparation for Lent. The last day was also a chance to pay respects to the dead and ask people for forgiveness. Maslenitsa ends with the first day of Lent, Clean Monday.
Maslenitsa in Saint-Petersburg:
The Central Park of Culture and Recreation in Kirov will host the annual “Maslennitsa” festival with numerous concerts, competitions and games for children as well as special gifts for visitors in traditional costumes. Here you will be able to listen to the wonderful chastushkas and watch the renowned Cossack way of riding. Come participate in Russian traditional arts and crafts classes for all ages, but most important of all, feasts on as many pancakes as you want with endless choices of fillings.
Traditional festivities will also take place at the Alexander Park in Peterhof.
This year, the Palace Square of Peterhof will host theatrical performances, workshops for kids and of course the burning of the Winter effigies to mark the coming of Spring, not to mention the stacks of hot pancakes and sweet tea available for all. For those interested in knowing more about the traditions connected to this old Slavic folk holiday, the Benois Museum at Peterhof will host a special exhibition running from Feb. 8-18 that explores how Maslenitsa used to be celebrated in Russian noble families.
Come Winter or Summer a trip to Peterhof is worth the distance. The palaces, gardens and fountains built and designed by Peter the Great himself, are not only marvels of engineering but also stunningly beautiful, said to easily rival Versailles.
Although one never needs a reason to visit the Mariinsky Theater, Maslenitsa truly comes to life here. Every year, the theatre welcomes the international choir festival, Maslenitsa in Song, which this year begins on Feb. 12. The opening night will host the Prague Philharmonic Choir and on Feb. 15 the critically acclaimed and simply enchanting play, The Snowmaiden, will be performed.
Tobogganing is a sport you simply cannot avoid during the cold Russian winters and be it from walking up the hills or too much smiling and laughing, it is sure to warm you right up. During the entire week of Maslenitsa people can slide down the ice mountain on Zayachy Island by the Peter and Paul Fortress. At such speed, do be careful not to toboggan onto the frozen Neva river…
For an exceptional and truly traditional event, the annual celebrations at Babushkin Park on the weekend of Feb. 17 and 18 are simply divine. The park offers all sorts of activities for both adults and children, from performances of folklore groups, games, contests, workshops and even an ice rink, you will have no problem burning off all those pancakes.
Finally, on Forgiveness Sunday, you will be able to ask your family and friends to forgive you for stealing their pancakes or any other wrongdoings. This is symbolized by the burning of the Maslenitsa or Winter effigy. At Yelagin Island the closure of the week will be accompanied by a light show as well as traditional dances and music.
In the centre of the city, just off Nevski prospect, numerous pop-up markets have been installed for the occasion. This is also a lovely place to take in the Maslenitsa atmosphere and buy wonderful, traditional Russian gifts for your family and friends. Hand knitted woollen socks, gloves and scarves, delicious honey and jams and cured meats and let’s not forget stalls filled with pancakes, hot chocolate and mulled wine await! Come and join us on a journey back in time and enjoy all that the cheeriest Russian Holiday has to offer.
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