A message on the topic of an old familiar carnival. Briefly about Shrovetide for children

Many people are anxiously awaiting the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which go deep into our history. As in the old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular pastimes that used to be held in the villages were: fisticuffs, eating pancakes for a while, sleigh rides, climbing a pole for a prize, playing with a bear, burning a stuffed animal, swimming in the hole. The main treat both before and now are pancakes, which can have various fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Cartoon "Look, Maslenitsa", 1985

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. On Shrovetide week, it is customary to spend every day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors.

Monday - "Meeting Maslenitsa"

On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and put it on the main street of the village. It stood on public display until the resurrection.

Tuesday - "Game"

It was dedicated to the youth. On this day, folk festivals were organized: they rode sledges, ice slides, carousels.

Pancake week. B. Kustodiev. Source: wikipedia.org

Wednesday - "Lakomka"

On this day, guests were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. On Wednesday, it was customary to serve pancakes to their sons-in-law, hence the expression “The son-in-law came, where can I get sour cream?”. Horse racing and fist fights were also held.

Maslenitsa in the film "The Barber of Siberia". 1998

Thursday - "Razgulya"

From this day begins Wide Maslenitsa, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.

Friday - Mother-in-law evening

On this day, the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa - favorite folk holiday. The traditions and customs of the Maslenitsa week came to us from ancient times and remain unchanged to this day. The last week before Lent is a time of festivities and fun, hearty days before a long abstinence.

Folk traditions and customs accompany many holidays, but Maslenitsa is a special time that meant a lot to our ancestors. This is the turning point when winter meets spring. The onset of the long-awaited fine days and seeing off the annoying winter cold is one of the key traditions.

The time before Lent is called Meat Week or Cheese Week. This is the period when there are no meat products, but cheese products, pancakes and other delicious food abound. Also, Maslenitsa week precedes a long spiritual and physical abstinence from earthly temptations, so people widely celebrated Maslenitsa and tried to walk up and eat for future use.

Folk traditions and customs for Maslenitsa

One of the most exciting and spectacular actions, perhaps, can be called the burning of an effigy of winter. The straw figure, symbolizing the passing cold, was dressed up in old clothes. Burning a scarecrow reminded of the imminent warming, and also made it possible to get rid of the negativity in the houses. Unnecessary broken things and old utensils were thrown into the fire. Everywhere people lit bonfires, which drowned the remnants of snow with their warmth.

Pancakes are an attribute without which there would be no Maslenitsa. They symbolize the hot bright Sun, urging him to quickly gain full strength. Each housewife had her own secret recipe for pancakes, which was carefully kept in the family and passed down from generation to generation. Everyone was treated to pancakes, knowing that generosity and friendliness give happiness in life and increase the wealth and well-being of the family. Flour products were sacredly revered in Russia, and in the pre-Christian era they were one of the ways to respect the god Perun.

Festive festivities on the street gave people the opportunity to unite and have fun, because very soon the spring season would come - the time when sowing and agricultural work began. Also, during the festivities, the older generation agreed on imminent weddings, the grooms looked after the brides, and the girls secretly guessed at the betrothed. Popular beliefs say that those who do not have fun on Shrove Tuesday will live in trouble and grief.

Each day of Maslenitsa has its own name. People honored traditions and tried to do everything that was necessary in these days. Mother-in-law invited sons-in-law, they, in turn, sent response invitations. Young wives gave gifts to their sister-in-laws and did their best to show their disposition to their husband's relatives. Celebrations on the street were accompanied by comic fistfights, wall-to-wall games, demonstrations of dexterity, sleigh rides from the mountains, and also in carts with horses accompanied by funny songs and ditties. The fun of climbing a smooth post for prizes was also traditional. Relatives went around each house and presented each other with small souvenirs and gifts.

Adults made wooden and clay whistles for children. In a merry crowd, the kids ran through the streets and whistled, imitating bird trills. This tradition also refers to the call for the spring awakening of the earth. Older children went and caroled with cheerful songs, begging for a tasty treat. Adults answered them with low bows, gave them sweets and asked them to convey wishes of health and happiness to their parents.

The last day of the festivities is called Forgiveness Sunday. People went to visit each other, asked for forgiveness for all intentionally or unwittingly caused offense. The children bowed at the feet of their parents, asking them to excuse them, and the parents, in turn, went to the cemetery to pay tribute to their ancestors. Pancakes were also left on the graves and the deceased relatives were asked for help and protection of the whole family for its prosperity.

Another interesting tradition was the sleigh ride of the newlyweds. The couples traveled around to everyone who was at their wedding, saying words of gratitude for a happy marriage. It was believed that the energy of love also charges the earth with fertility, and pleases with good shoots and a rich harvest. They also arranged a general kissing day, when the young were forced to kiss in front of everyone. On this day, guys could go into houses and kiss the girls they liked.

Our ancestors sacredly honored traditions. Honoring one's roots was the key to the success and prosperity of families. Now Pancake Week still declares the inviolability of traditions. Despite pagan roots, it organically entered our lives. We wish you a merry Maslenitsa and happiness in your personal life. Let luck not leave you, and do not forget to press the buttons and

14.02.2017 04:03

AT modern world still celebrate some holidays that were celebrated by our ancestors, and ...

Maslenitsa is interesting and unique, if only because it is the only one of a series of pagan holidays that has been recognized by the official Orthodox Church: all other holidays of the pre-Christian Slavs were more or less gently adapted to biblical stories or consigned to oblivion.

In Orthodoxy, this holiday began to be called a cheese, or meat-fare, week: in the last week before Lent, it is already forbidden to eat meat and fish, but cheese, sour cream and, of course, butter are quite permissible - all this is consumed on an incredible scale all week with ruddy pancakes. This year we will start celebrating it on February 12, Monday. Interesting Facts and traditions of celebration - in this review.

The pagan Maslenitsa was celebrated for two weeks

Initially - obviously, hundreds, or even thousands of years ago - the pagan Maslenitsa began a week before the spring equinox on March 21 and ended a week after it, that is, the holiday lasted for two whole weeks in total. All this time, housework practically ceased, pancakes were baked from batter every day - symbols of the new sun.

Symbolism of the circle in Maslenitsa

In order to quickly drive away the cold, they burned bonfires and lowered burning wheels from hills and hills, played, arranged fisticuffs, flirted and had fun, honoring Yarila in such a cheerful way - the god of the sun, fertility, procreation and life in general.

The shape of the circle occurs more than once in the ritual side of the holiday: in addition to pancakes and burning wheels, it is also an obligatory joint drinking of a ritual drink - it should be drunk in turn, be sure to try to forgive everyone who was in the circle, otherwise anger and envy will poison a person's existence until the next spring equinox. Driving round dances was also considered mandatory - perhaps, despite the seeming simplicity, the sacred meaning of such walking in a circle is much deeper than it seems, and this is not just a dance.

Pancakes were at the same time a memorial food - the continuation and birth of a new life is impossible without honoring the roots: ancestors, ancestors. On the last day of Maslenitsa, a straw effigy was burned - it, as a rule, dressed up in a woman's dress and symbolized Morana - the cruel goddess of winter and death.

Maslenitsa used to be called differently

The holiday is so deeply rooted in antiquity that even its exact name cannot be established - there are several versions, each of which seems quite logical, but there is no way to check them.

Komoyeditsa is one of the possible names

Komoyeditsa is one of the surviving names of the holiday that have come down to us, during which the gods from the Light World were revered - Rule. The Yarilo-sun melted the snow, revived nature, and the bears, who were also called “Kom”, woke up. The bear has always been the personification of power and strength, one of the key figures in mythology associated with the main god - Perun.

It was the clubfoot that made pancake sacrifices - which is understandable, if only because the bear after hibernation is quite dangerous for humans, hence the expression “first pancake to coma”, which over time acquired a completely different meaning due to the replacement of one vowel (such transformations are not rare in history).

Other names for Maslenitsa

Shrovetide is called in different areas and now in different ways: Shrovetide, Shrovetide, Pancake, Pancake, Pancake-eater, Glutton, Gluttonous week, Obyedukha, Kolodiy, Tselovalnitsa, Shrovetide carol and Cheese week.

They tried to ban Shrovetide for 7 centuries

Until the 17th century, they tried to ban the holiday - but that was not the case. The most remarkable thing is that it was celebrated anyway, even despite the severity of Lent. As a result, the Church had no choice but to reconcile and leave Maslenitsa alone. True, they decided to save and postpone it from being tied to the day of the vernal equinox - now the beginning of the Maslenitsa week falls on a date that falls 8 weeks before the Easter holiday.

The sacred meaning of the pagan Maslenitsa

The deep meaning of the holiday of resurrection and renewal of the Earth and nature is truly cosmic in scope. speaking the language ancient myth, during these two weeks, the fire of Dazhdbog left the sky, gaining strength in Svarga over the long winter, came to the sleeping Earth and warmed it, awakening the goddess Lelya to life.

Initially, she appeared in the form of a young girl, but on the very day of the spring equinox she became a ruddy, portly woman. The child-sun from Khors gradually turned into Yarila - a young man. As you can see, in the difficult process of the birth of a new life - spring - and the simultaneous veneration of ancestors, three gods are involved at once, although, perhaps, there were some other deities who helped to accomplish the miracle of heat and sun.

Maslenitsa - wedding time

Given the pairing required for true fertility, it is not surprising that it was during this spring time that it was customary to choose a bride and groom for themselves. Unmarried guys and those adults who still have not bothered to marry their grown children - including daughters - were tied with a shoe. This was done by midwives who took birth in women. Those on whom the block - a phallic symbol - appeared, should quickly help find a mate for their children, and even thank the midwife with a gift, propitiate her for the future.

Some historians argue that on the freshly thawed arable land, under pancakes and an intoxicating drink, very frivolous games were also played in a circle, personifying the seething of vital juices, insemination and fertility in the literal sense.

Analogues of the holiday in Europe

It was customary to hold rituals of meeting the new spring very similar in meaning in other countries: in Western Europe, this is, first of all, the Beltane holiday, the roots of which go back to the religious traditions of the Druids. It is celebrated by baking the same pancakes, although sometimes on a smaller scale, games and fun in the fresh forest air.

Maslenitsa - "Indian" week

Apparently, in order for women not to be distracted from baking pancakes, visiting guests and matrimonial moods of the family, they were forbidden to sew and spin at this time - these two weeks were also called “woman's”.

A rather wisely drawn up schedule of the celebration made it possible to bake pancakes in turn - depending on their marital status, the rest of the women of the family did nothing on the housework that day.

Shrovetide schedule

A somewhat truncated version has survived to this day - since the holiday has been reduced to a week, but this week, as already mentioned, is scheduled by day, each of which has its own meaning and rituals.

Monday: meeting

They celebrated the meeting of the pure Maslenitsa. It was customary to start Shrovetide week by visiting relatives - the daughter-in-law went to visit her mother for a day from her father-in-law and mother-in-law, and in the evening they came there themselves. Already on the first day, booths for jesters were set up, there must have been sweets on the table.

Tuesday: gamble

From that day on, the fun turned on to the fullest - games and fun followed one after another, the guys and girls began to visit the guests for pancakes in the morning, running along the road to ride down the hill or lower the burning wheel from it after the round dance. It is not difficult to see matchmaking in all these cheerful traditions: first showing grown children, then bringing them together so that after Lent they will have a wedding on Krasnaya Gorka.

“Calls” went from house to house - an analogue of postmen who verbally jokingly invited young people from one family to the house of another at the request of their parents. These messengers were met with honor, treated to pancakes and intoxicated wine - or they were refused in a special joke form, asking them to convey: “Mountains have been built with us and all guests have been asked,” which meant an already existing marriage agreement with another family.

Wednesday: gourmet

Mother-in-law treated their sons-in-law with pancakes on this day, convoking other relatives at the same time - on this day it was supposed to eat pancakes literally to satiety. Sometimes for the female part of the family, “girls’ conventions” were organized on this day - young girls gathered, accompanied by elderly relatives, singing cheerful songs.

In the evenings, they sang songs during a costume performance about a mother-in-law who treated her son-in-law to pancakes: and her little head ached from the hassle near the stove, and she had to call a disguised bear to ease the torment, and the son-in-law said “thank you” like that.

Thursday: revelry

The main day of the Maslenitsa week. Fisticuffs were arranged - including “wall to wall”, the guys tried to climb a high smooth pillar for a prize tied to the top. Apparently, these were some kind of “show performances” for those who wanted to see the newly chosen groom in men's games. They rode in a sleigh with a stuffed Maslenitsa - and, of course, continued to treat themselves to pancakes.

Friday: mother-in-law vespers

Now the sons-in-law invited their mothers-in-law to visit them, treating their wives' mothers with the same pancakes and sweets. By lunchtime, the mother-in-law appeared with her entire large family - if she received an “honorable” invitation, or alone and for dinner if the invitation was “simple”.

Inviting the mother-in-law should have begun the evening before, and in the morning to send special, smartly dressed “invitations”, and the more people sent with an invitation, the more respect was shown.

Saturday: sister-in-law gatherings

On this day, the young wife invited her husband's relatives to visit. The sisters of the husband were initially wary and distrustful of the newcomer from another family, and in order to break through this wall and establish contact, it was customary to give all the sisters of the husband special gifts. If they were already married, it was necessary to travel to their families with gifts and special treats.

Sunday: forgiveness day

As the name implies, on this day it was customary to ask for forgiveness and receive it. On the same day, an effigy of Maslenitsa was burned: old things were sent to the ritual fire, which symbolized sorrows and illnesses. The ashes were scattered over the fields “for fertility”.

Shrovetide is one of the most fun and long-awaited holidays of the year, the celebration of which lasts for seven days. At this time, people have fun, go to visit, arrange festivities and eat pancakes. Maslenitsa in 2018 will begin on February 12, and its end date will be February 18.

Pancake week is a national celebration dedicated to the meeting of spring. Before entering great post, people say goodbye to winter, enjoy the warm spring days, and, of course, bake delicious pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions and customs

There are several names for this holiday:

• the meat-empty Maslenitsa is called due to the fact that during the celebration they refrain from eating meat;
• cheese - because this week they eat a lot of cheese;
• Shrovetide - because they use a large amount of oil.

Many people are anxiously awaiting the onset of Maslenitsa, the traditions of celebrating which are rooted deep into our history. Today, as in the old days, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, with chants, dances and competitions.

The most popular amusements that used to be arranged in the villages were:

• fist fights;
• eating pancakes for a while;
• sledding;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• bear games;
• effigy burning;
• bathing in holes.

The main treat both before and now are pancakes, which can have various fillings. They are baked every day in large quantities.

Our ancestors believed that those who do not have fun on Maslenitsa will live the coming year poorly and bleakly.

Maslenitsa: what can and cannot be done?

1. Not to be consumed on Maslenitsa meat food. It is allowed to eat fish and dairy products. As a main dish, pancakes should be on the table in every house.
2. You need to eat on Maslenitsa often and a lot. Therefore, it is customary to invite guests and not skimp on treats, as well as to go on a visit.

Maslenitsa: the history of the holiday

In fact, Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday, which was eventually changed to a "format" Orthodox Church. In pre-Christian Russia, the celebration was called "Seeing off the winter."

Our ancestors revered the sun as a god. And with the onset of the first spring days, they were glad that the sun was starting to warm the earth. Therefore, a tradition appeared to bake round cakes resembling the sun in shape. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece of sunlight and heat. Over time, flat cakes were replaced with pancakes.

Maslenitsa: traditions of celebration

In the first three days of the holiday, there was an active preparation for the celebration:

• brought firewood for the fire;
• decorated the huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. They came into the house in order to treat themselves to pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, balalaikas, singing carols. City residents participated in the festivities:

• dressed in the best clothes;
• went to theatrical performances;
• visited booths to look at buffoons and have fun with a bear.

The main entertainment was the ride of children and youth from the ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. Used for riding:

• matting;
• sled;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice cubes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snow town with gates, they planted guards there, and then went on the attack: they broke into the gates and climbed onto the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: snowballs, brooms and whips were used.

On Maslenitsa, guys and young men showed their agility in fisticuffs. The inhabitants of two villages, landlord and monastic peasants, residents of a large village living in opposite ends could participate in the battles.

Seriously prepared for the battle:

• soared in the baths;
• ate well;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special conspiracy to win.

Features of the rite of burning an effigy of winter on Maslenitsa

As many years ago, today the culmination of Maslenitsa is considered to be the burning of an effigy. This action symbolizes the onset of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a stuffed animal, which is sacrificed, they made a large funny and at the same time scary doll, personifying Shrovetide. They made a doll out of rags and straw. Then she was dressed up in women's clothing and left on the main street of the village during Shrovetide week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There, the scarecrow was burned, drowned in the hole, or torn to pieces, and the straw left from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: it is necessary to destroy the symbol of winter in order to resurrect its power in the spring.

Maslenitsa: the meaning of every day

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. On Shrove Week, it is customary to spend every day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called "Meeting Maslenitsa". On this day they start baking pancakes. It is customary to give the first pancake to the poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and put it on the main street of the village. It was on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "The Gamble". It was dedicated to the youth. On this day, folk festivals were organized: they rode sledges, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday- "Gourmet". On this day, guests (friends, relatives, neighbors) were invited to the house. They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. Also on Wednesday it was customary to treat your sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “ My son-in-law came, where can I get sour cream?". Horse racing and fist fights were also held on this day.
4. Thursday people called it "Razgulyay". From this day begins the Wide Shrovetide, which is accompanied by snowball fights, sledding, cheerful round dances and chants.
5. Friday They were nicknamed "Teschin's Evenings", because on this day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday- "Zolovkin gatherings." The daughter-in-law invited her husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave gifts.
7. Sunday- the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was called "Forgiveness Sunday". On Sunday they said goodbye to winter, saw off Maslenitsa and symbolically burned its effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and relatives for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Maslenitsa is not only a fun and tasty week-long celebration, it is a real tradition, rooted in the distant past, marking the approach of the long-awaited spring. It is customary to celebrate this holiday with songs, dances, games and sweeping festivities. On Maslenitsa week they bake and treat themselves to pancakes, visit friends and relatives, arrange competitions and guess. Pancakes symbolize the sun, and folk festivals convey the joy of meeting him.

When is Maslenitsa celebrated

Maslenitsa is a family holiday, remember at least Mother-in-law evenings or Zolovka gatherings

Maslenitsa has long been associated with the meeting of spring and seeing off winter. People were very tired from the long winter days: cold, darkness, hunger exhausted the peasants. And Maslenitsa festivities preceded the onset of warmth and a better life.

Maslenitsa traditionally comes before Lent. In 2019, the holiday ritual begins on March 4, February and ends on March 10.

The history of the holiday in Russia

Maslenitsa has always been celebrated on a large scale, because winter with its cold weather bothered all peasants without exception!

Initially, Maslenitsa is an ancient pagan event, closely associated with the change of seasons, with the celebration of the solstice and the onset of spring. People believed in Yarilo - a pagan deity who was responsible for the harvest, the fertility of the land and symbolizing the sun. The holiday was celebrated seven days before the spring solstice.

However, in connection with the adoption of Christianity in Russia, it was adapted to Orthodox calendar, and the date of Maslenitsa began to depend directly on the timing of entry into Great Lent. Despite the fact that pagan beliefs were suppressed and gradually eradicated by the church, Shrovetide rites, signs and rituals live in the public consciousness to this day.

The main traditions of Maslenitsa

• Pancakes.

According to tradition, Christians no longer eat pancakes with meat on Shrovetide, but other fillings are allowed: sour cream, jam, cottage cheese and other delicacies.

Pancakes are, of course, the main treat of the festive week. It is customary to bake thin round pancakes and serve them with a variety of fillings. There should be a lot of this delicacy, and they need to be baked every day.

• Games.

Sleigh rides are a favorite pastime for kids of all ages.

Fun and entertainment are an integral part of the festival. In Russia, they organized fisticuffs, arranged pancake eating at speed, climbed a high pole for an award, rode a sleigh, had fun with a bear - another symbol of the onset of spring, dived into an ice hole, pulled a rope. Be sure to sing songs and dance, dress up and play jokes.

• Scarecrow burning.

The fire that chases away winter and calls for the coming spring must be bright!

For the holiday, a special doll was made, which stood in the very center of the festivities for a week. She symbolized the Maslenitsa. They made it from rags and straw, and then dressed it up in a colorful women's attire. The Maslenitsa scarecrow looked both funny and intimidating.

On Sunday, the culminating day of the celebration, the effigy was taken out into the fields to be burned. This was done solemnly and with full awareness of the significance of the ritual. By burning Maslenitsa, the people destroyed the forces of winter and "gave new life» spring.

People still honor ancient traditions, so the holiday is celebrated noisily, loudly, with a pancake feast, games and competitions, as was customary in the old days.

Folk calendar for 7 days of the holiday

"Every day is not Sunday? Well, at least I’ll feast for a week!”

The festival is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. All days of Maslenitsa have special names.

• Monday - Meeting.
• Tuesday - "Game".
• Wednesday - "Gourmet".
• Thursday - "Razgulyay", "Broad Thursday".
• Friday - Mother-in-law evening.
• Saturday - "Zolovkin gatherings."
• Sunday - Forgiveness Day.

Monday

Baking pancakes started on Monday

"Meeting" called the beginning of the holiday. It is easy to explain the reason for such a name - people welcomed Shrovetide, rejoiced at the long-awaited meeting with her. By this day, the preparations for the holiday were being completed, the remaining issues regarding the organization of the upcoming celebration and feast were being resolved.

It was today that they started baking pancakes and round cakes. There was a tradition - the first pancake was shared with the poor and the needy, so that they read prayers for the souls of deceased relatives. It was possible to do otherwise - to leave it on the threshold of the house as a sign of memory and respect for the ancestors.

It was started as follows: from the very morning, the mother-in-law and the father-in-law sent the daughter-in-law for one day to her family. And in the evening, they themselves visited the father and mother of the daughter-in-law to feast on pancakes and celebrate the beginning of the Maslenitsa festivities.

It was for the Meeting that a scarecrow was made - a symbol of Maslenitsa. Then they put him on a pointed stick, put him in a sleigh and rolled him around the whole village. And only after that, according to the script, the doll was installed in the center of folk festivals, so that everyone could see it during the festive week.

Tuesday

Maslenitsa without buffoons-jesters would not be so bright and provocative

It is not for nothing that the festive Tuesday is called Sparkle. Today from the very early morning people had fun, reveled, participated in games and competitions. And disguised buffoons amused passers-by on the streets. It was customary for women hostesses to treat such mercenaries.

Traditionally, on Tuesday, relatives, friends, and neighbors were invited to taste pancakes.

It was customary to marry to Zaigrysh. The young men looked out for potential brides, and the girls watched the guys and guessed at the imminent matchmaking and wedding. And, of course, the older generation studied possible relatives, sometimes, as if in jest, the families began to discuss and agree on the future union of the young.

Wednesday

Mother-in-law on this day treated her son-in-law with the most delicious pancakes and delicacies

And on this day, the son-in-law enjoyed mother-in-law pancakes, which is why they call the Wednesday Gourmand. Today, the mother-in-law heartily treated her daughter's husband and expressed her disposition and respect to him as much as possible. The son-in-law, in turn, praised the mother-in-law and cooked dishes, sang songs in her honor and played small comic performances.

Not only sons-in-law were invited to the rich table, but also all relatives, friends, neighbors, good acquaintances.

Young girls, as well as women, rode around their village and other villages on a sleigh. The fun was accompanied by the performance of ditties and fervent songs.

Thursday

On Broad Thursday, everyone walked, from young to old, it was no longer possible to work!

This day was popularly referred to as Razgulyay Thursday or Broad Thursday. It was from Thursday that the second half of the week-long celebration began - Shrovetide Wide. Now women were forbidden to do any household chores, it was time for real rest and carefree fun. The tables were bursting with all sorts of dishes and the traditional Shrovetide dish - pancakes. And the inhabitants of the settlements played snowballs, rode down the hills and on the carousels, sang and danced round dances, in a word - they amused themselves from the bottom of their hearts.

Unmarried young men showed themselves from the best side in front of future brides, boasted of strength and daring. For this purpose, various games and competitions were organized: fisticuffs, the wall-to-wall game, the storming of cities from snow, and tug of war were especially popular.

On Razgulay, children and the younger generation used to carol: they went from house to house with various musical instruments and sang special carols. Such entertainment was encouraged by adults, so young carolers were treated to goodies, and also asked to convey greetings and congratulations to their families.

Razgulyai was also celebrated in the cities. The townspeople took out their best wardrobes, attended street festivities in honor of Maslenitsa, went to see theatrical performances, and also visited booths, where they amused themselves with performances with the participation of jesters and a bear.

Friday

On Friday, the son-in-law pleased his mother-in-law and loved ones with various dishes and, of course, pancakes

Mother-in-law's evenings are called Friday on Maslenitsa week. Now the son-in-law treated the mother-in-law with pancakes. Moreover, she came to visit not alone, but with her girlfriends and close relatives. True, the son-in-law's wife baked pancakes. And the son-in-law himself had to be shown how sincerely and strongly he respects and loves his mother-in-law and all her entourage. According to tradition, in the morning the mother-in-law handed over to the son-in-law's house a crepe pan and a tub for the dough. And the father-in-law always passed butter and flour.

Saturday

Not a single girlfriend and relative was left without a delicious pancake

The following was instituted: the daughter-in-law solemnly invited her sisters-in-law, that is, her husband's sisters, to her house, and presented each with a gift. The sister-in-law gatherings were accompanied by delicious food, pancakes and sincere conversations.

The daughter-in-law also invited her unmarried friends to visit if the sister-in-law had not yet married. And if the sisters of the husband were already married, then the married relatives of the daughter-in-law were invited.

Sunday

Sunday is the last day when it was allowed to eat pancakes and other quick food before fasting.

The culminating day of the seven-day festivities, called Forgiveness Day or Forgiveness Sunday. Today, all relatives and relatives apologize to each other, ask to forgive them for all conflicts and quarrels.

Another tradition appeared after the adoption of the Christian religion - to attend church today, and to answer apologetic words with the phrase "God will forgive and I forgive."

Today an effigy of Maslenitsa was burned, and this meant that the spring time was very close. The festivities on Sunday continued, but more restrained and not so noisy.

What to tell children about the traditions of the holiday

Children love noisy festivities and bright colors of Maslenitsa

The history of Maslenitsa and the traditions of this holiday are often of interest to children; in kindergarten and school, kids often receive assignments on this topic. Maslenitsa is a truly life-affirming, positive holiday that is interesting and modern people. Guys different ages gladly take part in carnival games and fun. However, the current generation of children knows practically nothing about what a holiday is. And only adults are able to convey important and necessary information to children, which will help preserve the memory of ancient traditions and folk experience, and will also contribute to expanding the horizons of children. So what needs to be said?

1. History of the origin of the holiday. It is important to note that the celebration of Maslenitsa is an ancient custom that has survived to this day. Explain that they began to celebrate it even in the period of polytheism - this holiday is so old. Tell us how the Orthodox Church influenced him.
2. In honor of which Maslenitsa is celebrated. Why this holiday was so much loved, waited for and celebrated on a grand scale. It must be explained that this event heralds the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature. Thus, people said goodbye to winter and called for the early onset of warm, sunny days.
3. Why is pancakes the main delicacy for Maslenitsa? The shape of the pancake resembles the sun. And the sun is good weather and a guarantee of suitable conditions for agricultural work.
4. Entertainment and traditions. What did adults and children do during Shrove Tuesday? Perhaps the child himself was a spectator or participant in one or another festive fun. A colorful and vivid story will help him learn the information better and faster.
5. What days of Maslenitsa exist, what are they called. Briefly and to the point write down the days so that the child does not have time to get bored. For more interesting story You can use various sayings, proverbs and sayings.
6. Why is it customary to burn an effigy of Maslenitsa. Tell us what and for what purpose the festive doll was made, what it symbolized, when and why it was burned at the stake.

Making pancakes together brings the whole family together. Let the children participate in this process. They will definitely like it, and your family will have a new tradition for Maslenitsa.

Maslenitsa traditions in the corners of Russia

The games of the Cossacks on Maslenitsa are truly fascinating and dangerous

• Celebration traditions of the Don Cossacks

Preparations began a whole month before the celebration. Maslenitsa was widely and loudly celebrated on the Don. The tables were full of dishes, round cakes in the form of the sun, sonorous heroic songs were sung in the houses and psalms were sung. Both young and old, men and women, in a word, all the people walked, had fun and actively participated in the meeting of spring and winter farewells. The most important difference of the local festival was horse racing (they were organized on all streets) and shooting from weapons, in which even children took part.

• Shrovetide traditions of the Siberian Cossacks

And in Siberia, Pancake week was celebrated on a grand scale. Pancakes were the main dish of the Cossacks. The dish was served with cottage cheese, sour cream and butter. Moreover, they were baked primarily to commemorate the souls of deceased relatives. Pancakes were kneaded from different dough: unleavened or yeast; based on oat or rye, barley, wheat or buckwheat flour. There was a special recipe for baking based on sour dough - these are Siberian shanezhki. There were no games to play. The most popular entertainment among the local Cossacks was the storming of the snow settlement.

• Maslenitsa at the Kuban Cossacks

The Cossacks in the Kuban are famous for their passion for horseback riding, closely intertwined with the tricks of horse riding. That is why the Maslenitsa festivities among the Kuban Cossacks could not do without the most popular entertainment - frisky riding in a sleigh that was pulled by horses. Traditionally, girls and boys skated separately from each other. During the festivities, Cossack horse riding and horse races were necessarily organized, where the male sex showed its most valuable, valiant qualities. At the end of the festivities, it was customary to cut the Shrovetide effigies.

Celebration in other countries: interesting facts

Did you know that analogues of Maslenitsa exist almost all over Europe?

As noted in Belarus

Maslenitsa in Belarus

According to tradition, on the eve of Maslenitsa, the dead were commemorated, celebrating Parents' Day. Even before Monday Maslenitsa, pancakes were baked, they were taken to the graves of relatives and close people. The rest of the pancakes were distributed to beggars, monks and children. In the evening of the same day, the souls of deceased relatives were traditionally “invited to the table”. The food was not removed from the table until early morning. Attention to the Belarusian Maslenitsa was paid to ceremonies and rituals promising fertility and a good harvest.

in the Czech Republic

Unlike Russia, it is allowed to eat meat and sausages on the Czech Masopust

The Czech Maslenitsa is called Masopust. The history of the holiday goes back to the 13th century, and the traditions of the celebration came here from Germany. In general, the festival is celebrated here as richly and magnificently as in Russia.

Czech Maslenitsa was mostly celebrated in rural settlements, but now the traditions of the celebration have begun to be adopted by urban residents. On Masopust, it is customary to eat a lot of high-calorie and fatty foods to maintain strength for the whole year. They cook kalachi and donuts, bake ducks and suckling pigs, cook traditional pork sausages yitrnice and pork with blood - elito. And the symbol of Maslenitsa in the Czech Republic is a donut.

In France

Bright colors attract the arrival of spring

An analogue of the Russian Maslenitsa week in the French lands is a carnival dedicated to the arrival of springtime. It falls on the first Tuesday in March. And this is very symbolic - the first day of the first spring month. French traditions in many ways similar to ours: have fun, overeat, bake pancakes.

In Germany

One of the days of the German celebration is called Tulpensonntag - Tulip Sunday.

In Germany, as well as in France, there are large-scale and colorful carnivals. Traditional holiday foods - pancakes, pancakes, homemade sausages. The time of the holiday falls on the dates before Great Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday - 46 days before Easter.

A curious tradition is the existence of "Indian Thursday". On this day, almost everything is allowed for German women. A cute prank to cut off a stranger's tie is a small fraction of what a wild lady can afford. It is worth noting that a kiss was supposed to be offended, but the Germans are practical people, so they prefer not to wear this accessory to the office on this day.

In Great Britain

Even serious Brits love the pancake holiday!

Pancake day, literally - pancake day - this is the name of Maslenitsa in this state. Just like the Slavic people, the British are very fond of pancakes. Therefore, it is this dish that they associate with the sun and spring, and they prepare it for the holiday. There is a tradition in the old British city of England, Olney: waiting for the first strike of the bell from the main town hall, which notifies all residents that it is time to bake their perfect pancake. The so-called "pancake race" begins with the second blow in the town.

Italian Carnival

February is carnival month in Italy

Italians hold noisy and colorful carnivals with dressing up and dancing. This is the Italian analogue of our Maslenitsa. The most popular and beautiful Italian carnival is the Venetian one. It passes within 10 days. Sweet confetti is considered to be a favorite pastime of the carnival - procession participants are sprinkled with small sweets, nuts, dried fruits. The apotheosis of the festival in Italy is fireworks of incredible beauty.

And yet, Maslenitsa is a primordially Russian celebration, the mental and spiritual experience of our ancestors. With the help of games and amusements, a Russian person did not just relax; he splashed out negative emotions, released bad energy, freed himself from unresolved conflicts in order to enter spring clean and renewed. It is not for nothing that Maslenitsa is considered to be the Slavic New Year.