Shrovetide: the history of the holiday, traditions and customs. Maslenitsa: the history of the ancient Slavic holiday

In Russia, many different holidays are celebrated.
But there is one that we inherited from our ancestors and especially beloved - this is Maslenitsa!

The holiday, which will be discussed, is unusual and many-sided. For some, this is a time of repentance and reconciliation, while for others it is a whole week of wild fun. This contradiction has its roots deep in the history of Russia.

The progenitor of modern Maslenitsa was the ancient Slavic pagan Komoyeditsa. Until the 16th century, Russia celebrated the sacred day of the vernal equinox, which was considered the beginning of the New Year according to the solar calendar of the ancient Slavs. And the celebration of Komoyeditsa began a week before the Spring Equinox and lasted a week after.

The Slavs worshiped nature and revered the Sun as a deity that gives vitality to all living things. Therefore, on the spring holiday of Komoyeditsy, it was customary to bake cakes, symbolizing the sun - round, yellow and hot. Subsequently, namely from the 9th century, when leavened dough appeared, the cakes took the form of modern pancakes.

At the same time, people made sacrifices to the sacred beast revered by the Slavs - the bear. Pancakes were presented as a gift to the "bear" god - or in Old Slavonic To whom - from where the saying "the first pancake to the coms", that is, bears, came from.

For two weeks of the holiday, people, surrounded by relatives of their kind, spent in merry games, feasts, competitions and pagan rites.

All these actions had a deep meaning and significance. After the often half-starved winter, the Slavs needed to prepare and gain strength for the upcoming work, which would continue continuously from sunrise to sunset throughout the warm season.

At present, there is very little information about how Komoyeditsa was celebrated, but historians have tried to restore some of the rites and customs of that time.

The festive day began with a visit to the sanctuary, near which grain was scattered, attracting birds, symbolizing dead ancestors. The Slavs believed that in this way the whole family would unite at the sacred spring festival.

At this time, women set the tables, laying them with dishes and drinks prepared from products carefully preserved from winter stocks. Having shared all the refreshments, a fifth of it was carried to the Sacred Fire, bred in an open place, and the altar was covered. Near the fire they put a straw effigy on a pole, called Madder, while saying:

"Come to us,
To the wide yard:
ride on the mountains,
Roll in pancakes
Have fun with your heart.
Red beauty, blond braid,
Thirty brothers sister,
Forty grandmothers granddaughter,
Three mothers daughter, little flower,
Berry, quail.

After tasting the first pancakes, they started a round dance, which they certainly led according to the movement of the sun. After that, everyone began to jump over the fire, thereby being cleansed of evil spirits, and then washed with melt water, which gave beauty and strength. At the same time, couples of newlyweds who got married in a year were glorified, and singles were marked with a rope. To remove the rope, it was necessary to make your choice here or pay off with a treat for the festive table.

Another ritual on Komoeditsu was associated with the prediction of spring weather.

A specially prepared drink was poured into the bowl, surya from charmed milk with magical herbs added to it. With the first cup, filled to the brim with the sacred drink, the priestess of Marena went to the altar, where the priestess of the fruitful goddess Zhiva was waiting for her, who was supposed to knock the cup out of her hands so that not a drop would spill on the altar. Otherwise, the Slavs were waiting for a cold and rainy spring.

“Go away, Winter is cold!
Come, Summer is hot!
With a bad time
With flowers, with grass!

Then, praising God Yarilo and throwing old things into the fire, they burned an effigy of Marena, saying at the same time: “Marena is tanned, the whole world is tired!”

After burning the effigy, the youth performed the ceremony of awakening the bear. Dressed up in the skin of a bear, he lay in an improvised den, and the girls and guys, trying to “wake him up”, threw snowballs and twigs. "Bear" woke up only after the most beautiful girl came up to him and sat on his back. Then the mummer would get up and, imitating the awakening of the bear, would dance for the amusement of the people.

Having fun, they began a feast. After that, festive fun, games and fist fights began. The day was ending and, saying goodbye, the Slavs treated each other with gifts, “snacks”, bowing and asking for forgiveness for unintentional insults.

Komoyeditsa took place in honoring and observing ancient traditions, glorifying the Slavic family and its customs.

With the adoption of Christianity, the Orthodox Church is trying to abolish all pagan manifestations of the Slavs, including holidays. Therefore, since the 16th century, a church holiday has been introduced in Russia cheese week or Myasopust which precedes Great Lent. At this time, it was supposed, gradually giving up temptations, to prepare your soul and body for repentance, forgiving offenses and reconciling with relatives and friends.

Even in the ancient times of Christianity, Cheese Week received the rite of worship, as described by Patriarch Theophilos of Alexandria, who lived in seclusion in the 4th century. This ancient decree of the Church in the 7th century was even more established and spread when the Byzantine king Heraclius, exhausted by a long war with the Persians, made a promise to God after the successful end of the war to prohibit the consumption of meat before the Great Forty Days of Lent.

The name “Cheese Week” comes from the fact that being a preparatory stage for the upcoming abstinence, it is forbidden to eat meat during the week, but cheese, eggs and dairy products are still allowed.

On Wednesday and Friday of the Cheese Week, divine services are held with prayer and the usual bows, and on Saturday in the church they remember the saints who shone with fasting and fervent prayer vigil and celebrate the Synod of all the Reverend Fathers.

The Sunday of the week is called "forgiveness Sunday", and the Liturgy on this day says that in order to receive forgiveness from God, we ourselves must forgive our neighbors.

Among the people, Cheese Week was called Shrovetide, since during this period dairy products were allowed, including butter.

Combining pagan and Christian traditions, folk Maslenitsa has long been celebrated in Russia on a grand scale, as evidenced by the royal establishment of the 18th century, in which Peter I prescribed a secular celebration in the image of foreign carnivals.

Tsar Peter, who loved reckless youthful amusements, celebrated Maslenitsa with a truly royal scale. This was noticed at one time by the son of the general of the Russian service, Friedrich Berchholtz, known for his detailed diary about his stay in Russia. He wrote about an unusual procession arranged by the Russian Tsar, consisting of the ships of the Russian fleet, put on a sleigh drawn by horses:

“His Majesty rejoiced truly royally. Not having the opportunity here in Moscow to rush along the waters as in St. Petersburg, and despite the winter, he did, however, with his small dexterous boatswains on a dry route, all the maneuvers possible only at sea. When we rode with the wind, he spread all the sails, which of course helped the 15 horses pulling the ship a lot.

Along with fun, festivities and games, the folk Maslenitsa also has a ritual side. Each day of the holiday week had its own name and purpose.

Butcher Sunday is the last Sunday before Maslenitsa, when we went to visit friends and relatives, invited us to Maslenitsa and ate meat dishes.

Monday: "meeting"
Matchmakers met and agreed on a joint celebration. On this day, young daughters-in-law visited their parents. On a pre-selected place for festivities, ice slides, booths, snow fortresses were built. The hostesses began to bake pancakes, giving the first one to the tramps in remembrance of the dead. And the youth made a symbol of the holiday from straw and shabby clothes - a stuffed Maslenitsa.

Tuesday: "play"
This day was dedicated to the bride. It was believed that if you woo the bride for Maslenitsa, then the wedding will affect Krasnaya Gorka. The youth kept an eye on each other during festivities, merry merrymaking and downhill rides, in order to then send matchmakers to the house of the betrothed.

Wednesday: "sweets"
This day was dedicated to the mother-in-law, who, having prepared pancakes, was waiting for her son-in-law to visit and in every possible way showed him her disposition.

Thursday: "revelry"
The day when the celebrations unfolded in full breadth, all kinds of housework stopped and various competitions were arranged. Entertainment alternated with rich feasts, and the storming of the snowy town became the main event.

Friday: Mother-in-law evening
On this day, the mother-in-law with her friends hurried to visit her son-in-law. The daughter prepared treats and baked pancakes, and the son-in-law had to please the mother-in-law and show the guests his respect for the mother-in-law and her family.

Saturday: "sister-in-law gatherings"
The festive day was held in the house of a young daughter-in-law, who invited her sister-in-law or other relatives of her husband to the table for pancakes. On this day, the sister-in-law was presented with a gift from the relatives of the daughter-in-law.

Sunday: "seeing off"
The last day of Maslenitsa is popularly called "Forgiveness Sunday" or "The Kisser". On this day, they visit the graves of deceased relatives, asking for forgiveness for all the insults caused during the year. By evening, they cleaned the house, solemnly burned the effigy of Maslenitsa and the remnants of festive food.

The rite of "funeral" Shrovetide began with the cultivation of a sacred fire, into which they threw funeral food. Then the effigy of Maslenitsa was carried on a pole throughout the village or carried on a sleigh, which was then burned along with the effigy, and the fields were sprinkled with ashes. It was believed that the attributes of the holiday burned to the ground would bring a good harvest.

Maslenitsa is an ancient and bright holiday in Russia, uniting, thanks to the forgiveness of neighbors and help to those who are suffering, both those who spend these days in preparation for Great Lent and those who have fun and participate in mass celebrations.

Having a multi-thousand-year history, which is still celebrated by Russians today. True, of the dozens of rites invented for seeing off winter on the eve of Great Lent, our contemporaries know at most 5-6. Moreover, many do not know why and when Maslenitsa appeared in Russia. The history of the origin of the holiday is also interesting for children, who are especially attracted by fun games and entertainment, as well as delicious traditional treats. For example, it's hard to find a child who doesn't like pancakes and hash browns!

pagan holidays

The rites of meeting spring and seeing off winter existed among many sedentary peoples even in pagan times. In particular, the Slavs from time immemorial celebrated the day of the spring solstice. There is also an alternative opinion that the history of Maslenitsa goes back to the time when there was a cult of the god Veles, who is the patron of cattle breeding and agriculture. His holiday fell on February 24, according to the new style, and preceded the meeting of the new year, which until 1492 began in March.

Carnival

Many researchers believe that the history of Maslenitsa originates from the era of antiquity. Indeed, a holiday similar to the Slavic farewell to winter existed in ancient Rome. After the adoption of Christianity and in the subsequent 1-2 centuries, the church faced the acute issue of eradicating paganism. To this end, many holidays of the new religion were moved to dates corresponding to the days when it was customary to glorify the ancient Roman gods. In particular, the boundaries of Great Lent were somewhat shifted, and religious processions began to be held instead of Bacchanalia and Saturnalia. By the way, not many people know that the French word “carnival” is translated as “goodbye meat” and is consonant with the second old name of the Russian Maslenitsa - Myasopustu. For the first time, carnivals in the modern sense in most European cities began to take place in the 9th century. By this time, the church had already strengthened its position, and the clergy less zealously fought against the remnants of the pagan past, especially since the first half of the holiday week was accompanied by numerous religious ceremonies.

The history of the celebration of Maslenitsa in Russia: the origins

As you know, Christianity came to us from the heiress of the culture of Ancient Greece. That is why the history of Maslenitsa in Russia is a mixture of Slavic rituals with Orthodox traditions of folk festivals on the eve of Lent. The latter, in turn, arose as a continuation of processions in honor of the god Dionysius.

Maslenitsa and Great Lent

Sometimes people tend to idealize the past and forget that Russia until the 18th century was an agrarian country, where the majority of the population were peasants. Their prosperity directly depended on weather conditions, so that in lean years, many had to deal with such a phenomenon as famine. Thus, a hearty meal for many was one of the few pleasures available, so any holiday turned into a feast. The foregoing is especially obvious when the history of the origin of Shrovetide is considered. In particular, many researchers believe that Great Lent, in addition to religious overtones, had a completely utilitarian meaning. Indeed, at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the peasants were running out of food supplies, and strict abstinence allowed them to “hold out” until spring, when mushrooms and greens appeared. At the same time, in early February, cows began to calve, so there was a lot of milk, from which butter and cheese were made. During Lent, they were able to harvest them for future use, so after Easter, the peasants were provided with high-calorie foods, which was very useful during the sowing season. Before giving up hearty meals for a long time, peasants and representatives of other classes had fun and indulged in gluttony. And how the history of the emergence of Maslenitsa developed depended on the tastes and preferences of princes and kings.

Celebration under Peter the Great

In the first half of the 18th century, some European traditions entered Russia. In particular, in 1722, at the end of a protracted war with Sweden, Emperor Peter the Great invited foreign ambassadors to take part in the oil-growing festivities. In order to surprise Europe, an unprecedented spectacle was arranged: the tsar rode through the snow on a ship harnessed by sixteen horses, and after him a gondola “floated” with Empress Catherine dressed as a simple peasant woman. And that is not all! The royal people were followed by other ships, harnessed by various animals, which carried the courtiers. All this was accompanied by loud music and illumination and made an indelible impression on the audience.

Celebration of Maslenitsa under Catherine II

The history of Maslenitsa also contains several interesting pages related to the name of Catherine II. In particular, she introduced the custom of organizing masquerade processions in Moscow, where she moved with the whole court at the end of winter. For the first time, residents of the city and foreign guests were able to admire such a spectacle on the day of the coronation of the Empress. In total, 4,000 people and 200 chariots took part in the procession.

There is also such a story of the celebration of Maslenitsa, dating back to the era on the occasion of the birth of Alexander's grandson, the Empress arranged festivities of unprecedented scope. In particular, it is known that the courtiers who became winners in the games started after dinner were given precious gifts. In just one evening, the Empress gave away 150 pieces of jewelry, for which Maslenitsa in 1777 was nicknamed Diamond.

Traditions

The history of Maslenitsa has preserved to us a description of special rites. At the same time, our ancestors had a day-by-day schedule, and each had a special name:

"meeting" - Monday;

"flirty" - Tuesday;

"gourmet" - environment;

“wide roam-four” - Thursday;

“Teschina Vecherki” - Friday;

“sister-in-law gatherings” - Saturday;

"forgiveness day" - Sunday.

Activities such as ice slides and sleigh rides, newlyweds, processions of mummers, fistfights and group competitions were popular. For example, the participants in the games were divided into two groups and fought on fists or arranged for the capture of a snowy town. And, of course, Maslenitsa was unthinkable without burning an effigy, which looked different in different regions.

treat

As already mentioned, Maslenitsa was the last opportunity to eat well before a long Lent. The traditional treat consisted of dairy products (sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese) and eggs, as well as all kinds of such as cheesecakes, pancakes, spices, cakes and brushwood. As for drinks, beer was preferred.

Maslenitsa holiday: a story for children

For preservation, it is extremely important to introduce children to their culture from an early age. This also applies to Shrovetide. After all, this holiday is one of the few that have come down to us almost unchanged. Teachers are advised to start introducing kids to Maslenitsa with a story that once upon a time, our ancestors, tired of the long winter, decided to arrange a fun farewell for her. And what fun without children's games and fun?! Therefore, comic competitions were invented, the participants of which could find out which of them was the most daring and clever fellow.

In addition, if you want to arrange a holiday "Pancake week: a story for children" in the kindergarten, you should learn various jokes and jokes with the kids. Despite the fact that they were invented several centuries ago, today they are a good tool for introducing kids to their national culture.

Now you know how Maslenitsa was celebrated in Russia. The history of the holiday is full of interesting facts that will surely be of interest to both adults and children.

Maslenitsa is an ancient Slavic holiday with mass festivities throughout the whole week. This holiday is very much loved in Russia, and it is he who symbolizes the farewell to winter. After it begins spring and Lent before Easter.

How is Maslenitsa celebrated? Russia has always been associated with the "wide Russian soul", and the celebration of any celebration is always long and cheerful. No wonder there was a saying -

"Walk, soul, wide open!".

It is Maslenitsa that fully characterizes the respect for traditions and the attitude of the Russian people to the holidays. There is no clear date for Maslenitsa. Usually it is held at the end of February, less often - at the beginning of March (with late Easter). But this holiday always begins on Monday.

Maslenitsa not only sees off the winter, but is also the last “full” week before Orthodox Christians begin to fast. After all, Great Lent is the strictest post before the Bright Holiday - Easter, so the church allows plenty of walk up and eat "meat and cheese" during this holiday.

Every day of Maslenitsa has its own name and clear meaning. In addition, during the Maslenitsa week, certain rituals and actions are performed, which are also tied to certain days.

clothing also has its purpose in the holiday. Most people even make costumes for Shrovetide! For women, a mandatory attribute is a downy or painted scarf, for men - a fur vest and a flower or ribbon on a hat.

The main attributes of Maslenitsa are bagels, a samovar and a team of horses. Not a single Maslenitsa could do without sleigh rides, decorated with bells, ribbons and painted arcs. They even decorate horses - they put on them the best harness, hang bright pompoms and, of course, bells.

And the main character of the holiday is stuffed Maslenitsa. It symbolizes winter, which needs to be burned so that spring comes faster! They burn not only the doll of winter, but also old unnecessary things to renew not only nature, but also themselves. They also threw pancakes - to remember the deceased relatives.

But it won't do without a hero - wake up the bear for Shrove Tuesday means to awaken spring! Everyone who wants to dress up in a bear costume or put on an inside-out sheepskin coat and dance round dances around it. At this time, the mummer imitates the awakening of a bear and dances.

But the main symbol for Maslenitsa is pancake which has a special meaning. Round, ruddy with butter and sour cream, it symbolizes the sun. And the tastier it is, the more fertile the harvest will be in the year! The more pancakes you bake and treat people to them, the richer the year will be. In order to “butter” the sun, pancakes were baked according to different recipes and with many fillings.

But the circle is of particular importance on Maslenitsa! First of all, he talks about the circular change of seasons and that spring will definitely come after winter. The circle is also a symbol of the sun, which our ancestors worshiped as a deity. After all, the bright and warm sun will give life to plants and delight the people! Pancakes and bagels are also baked in the shape of a circle. And it is not in vain that they dance round dances for a holiday - after all, it is also a circle!

A circle or wheel is always decorated with bright ribbons for Shrovetide. It is carried on a pole along with a effigy of Maslenitsa all week and is even used for fortune-telling. They set fire to the wheel and roll it along the road - whoever drives it faster and more smoothly will have a lucky year.

The wheel is still peculiar attraction for Maslenitsa. It is installed on the highest pillar, decorated with ribbons and tied with gifts. Whoever can climb it will win the coveted prize.

But the most interesting on Maslenitsa is mass festivities which define the "spirit" of the Russian people!

First of all, it is a large fair where handmade crafts are sold or exchanged - from whistles to hand-tied down shawls.

The celebration is not complete without dancing, and songs to the accordion! What is a holiday without fun. And be sure to Maslenitsa - a lot of noise - the winter needs to be scared, so that it would soon leave!

Skating on ice slides and snowball fights - the last time in winter they will add a special impression to Maslenitsa.

What men especially like on this holiday is fisticuffs. They are arranged in the form - "wall to wall". In such entertainment, you can not only “hone” your skills, but also “let off steam”, as well as all the sorrows that have accumulated over the long winter!

Maslenitsa is not only festivities and pancakes, this is a time that allows people to get to know each other better, communicate with relatives, and most importantly - forgive all offenses and make peace with those who were in litter.

Happy and satisfying holiday!

But the carnival festivities and fun that were held earlier were noticeably different from modern ones. One of the names of Maslenitsa entertainment was "walking under the mountains." And this is not accidental, because the main carnival fun was considered to be skiing from the icy mountains. It was the huge mountains (up to 12-14 meters high), which were built specifically for this, that became the centers of festivities, and fairs arose around them, swings, carousels and booths were set up, and various amusements were held.

The mountains were built in all cities and large villages, for this money was sometimes released from the treasury, but more often their construction was paid for by merchants and booth-makers or residents in a pool. As a rule, mountains were built in pairs, opposite each other, so that the slopes from them ran parallel. Often these impressive structures were crowned with turrets or pavilions above the platforms from which the descent began. And the length of the flooded descent could be 100-140 meters, there was where to accelerate.

Foreigners who visited Russia in winter left many descriptions skiing from the ice mountains, they made such a strong impression on them. The Dane P. von Haven, who saw this entertainment in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 18th century, wrote that it “seems to foreign observers more dangerous than fun.” He noted that “with the onset of Maslenitsa, there are many people of both sexes riding there all week long, from morning until late at night.” The Dane also noticed one important detail - all classes rode together: “The people like this entertainment so much that both ordinary women and young people of the best condition participate in it.”

The Russian monarchs did not shy away from riding down the mountain. For this, Peter I could sit in an ordinary sled, and Elizaveta Petrovna preferred specially made decorated sleds. In her youth, Catherine II also loved to amuse herself with primordially Russian fun.

A detailed description of skiing from the mountains and even the features of their construction was left by P. P. Svinin, who created a detailed guide to St. Petersburg in the second half of the 19th century. He noted that the mountains were decorated with flags, Christmas trees, and sometimes wooden sculptures. The order of their construction was strictly monitored by the police, who were interested in observing security measures: the reliability of the structure, the presence of railings and fences, the absence of protruding nails, etc.

By the way, drunks were not allowed on the mountains. It was not forbidden to drink, but only on the ground, and the Russians have always loved to drink. Back in the middle of the 17th century, the Englishman S. Collins wrote: “On Maslenitsa, before Great Lent, Russians indulge in all kinds of amusements with unbridledness, and in the last week before Lent they drink so much, as if they were destined to drink for the last time in their lifetime.”

Skating during Maslenitsa could continue daily until late at night, for which the mountains were illuminated with lanterns. Svinin in "Sights of St. Petersburg" described this very colorfully: "The reflection of this mass of multi-colored lights in the snow, intermingling with the shadows, is an extraordinary sight." Isn't it, it reminds modern "lure" for tourists.

For mountain skiing they made small sleds, but many preferred to ride on skins, matting, and even in large baskets. It was considered a special chic to move down the mountain on your feet, but rarely anyone succeeded. The guys tried to appear on the mountain with their own elegant sleds, in this case it became possible to invite girls to ride. Sledges were made in such sizes that young woman could only sit on the guy's lap. After a successful slide down, the girl was supposed to reward the owner of the sledge with a kiss.

A lot of people gathered to watch the skiers. Naturally, there was an active trade near the mountains. Peddlers of hot brisket and tea scurried about in the crowd, managing to fit samovars behind their backs. Here they also sold various sweets, candied fruits, nuts, gingerbread, pies and pancakes, which were baked on the spot or brought from nearby taverns. For the entertainment of the public, there were swings and carousels, a lot of booths in which small comedies or skits were played, often of a frivolous content. Jugglers and acrobats performed. The people were invited by small puppet theaters, the main character of which was Petrushka. Performances of trained animals were very popular.

The Russian people celebrated Shrovetide even when there was no Christianity in Russia. The holiday marked the farewell to winter and the meeting of spring and was associated with the name of the god of fertility and cattle breeding Veles. After the baptism of Russia, Maslenitsa began to be celebrated seven weeks before Easter, followed by Great Lent. Yes, and during the Maslenitsa itself, which lasts seven days, they do not eat meat. They eat it for the last time on the last Sunday - Meat Sunday - before the national holiday. It’s clear, because Maslenitsa crowns spring, the warmth of the sun, how can you do without pancakes, which the ancients considered a symbol of the sun - they are just as round, yellow and always hot.

It was necessary to screw pancakes in an amount of at least 10 pieces, or rather, from one and a half to two elbows - it was in this equivalent that pancakes were measured in the old days. And after all this, our ancestors found the strength to have fun with all their hearts: ride from the mountains, arrange famous fist fights, sing songs and dance! Not to ride downhill, not to swing on a swing, not to laugh at jesters in those days meant living in trouble. We limit ourselves to just eating pancakes, but we should not forget about traditions.

As you know, Maslenitsa lasts seven days. Each day of this week has its own name and meaning.

Monday - Meeting. Slides, swings, booths for buffoons were arranged, tables with dishes were set up. Moreover, on the first day only children rode from the mountains. In the morning, the children made a doll out of straw and dressed her up. On the same day, the children went from house to house with songs, thereby asking the residents for a hotel.

Tuesday - Games. The second day was entertained by young couples who had sealed their relationship by marriage a week or two ago. Now the time to ride from the mountains has come for the newlyweds. Those couples whose whole village was walking at the wedding were simply obliged to slide down the mountain. And this is no accident: skiing from the mountain served as a kind of sign. The further you slide, the more flax you will grow. For the unmarried, their own fate was prepared: young people looked out for brides for themselves, and girls looked at their betrothed. It was not without guesswork. For example, the girl had to take one of the first pancakes, go outside and treat the first guy she met to them and ask him his name in order to find out the name of her betrothed.

Wednesday - Gourmets. On this day, mothers-in-law invited their sons-in-law to pancakes. Hence the expression "to mother-in-law on
pancakes". Young people dressed as for a wedding. On Wednesday, unmarried young boys and unmarried girls rode the slides. Moreover, the whole village had jokes on the lips of the guys who this year did not have time to get a wife.

Thursday - Walk around. On Thursday, a lot of people gathered, fisticuffs were organized, and snow towns were taken. People dressed up in whatever they wanted. And, finally, the effigy of Maslenitsa was raised up the mountain.

Friday - Mother-in-law evening. In the evening, the son-in-law was supposed to invite the mother-in-law to him. The mother-in-law, in response to the invitation, sent him everything from which and on what pancakes are baked. And the son-in-law had to bake pancakes for her.

Saturday - Zolovkin gatherings or Seeing off. On the sixth day, the daughter-in-law invited her relatives to her place. On the same day, a dressed-up straw effigy of Maslenitsa was carried to the end of the village and there, on a large fire, it was burned. They sang and danced around the fire.

Sunday - Forgiveness Sunday. Everyone was preparing for the Great Lent, so they sought to be cleansed of sins and asked each other for forgiveness and heard in response: “God will forgive, and I forgive.” People went to cemeteries, left pancakes on the graves. It was believed that the very first pancake at Maslenitsa was “for the repose of parental souls.”

Well, that's probably all. They knew how to have fun in Russia all week long. Of course, I don’t call for walking around with fistfights, because Shrovetide is more about reconciliation with neighbors, forgiveness of insults and good communication with relatives and friends.