Maslenitsa translates to butter in Russian.
 This festival is known as: “Butter Week”
 Pancake toppings include butter, but
also caviar, jam and sour cream
 Given to friends and family as a sign of
warmth.

Pagan and Christian origins
In Slavic Mythology, it’s the Sun Festival
Celebrates the end of winter
Celebrated during the last week of Great Lent
In Orthodox Christianity, meat is
prohibited during this last week.
 Milk, cheese, & other dairy products
allowed.
 Last chance to have dairy products and
festivities before Lent.
 Pancakes, or Bliny (in Russian), symbolize
the sun

Snowball fights, Sledding, Riding on
Swings, Sleigh rides, puppets, singing,
theatre, fireworks, fist fighting (honoring
military) and bear fights
 Mascot = Lady Meslenitsa
 She is a brightly dressed straw effigy
 Burned at the end of the celebration
 Symbolizes the end of winter, and the
ashes are buried to symbolize fertility

Russian Carnival
Created by
George Fuzayl ‘14