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Hi, friends.

Today, the whole of Russia celebrates the feast of Shirokaya Maslenitsa. Maslenitsa is an ancient pagan Slavic holiday, which had a great sacred meaning. With the adoption of Christianity in Russia, the Church included Shrovetide in the number of her holidays. According to the Church calendar, this holiday is called cheese-fare week. Because falls Maslenitsa on the week before Lent.

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Maslenitsa (from the Russian word "oil") is called this way, because this week it was already forbidden to eat meat. But dairy products and eggs were allowed. It is a week of abundant absorption of pancakes and other treats. But still the main treats of Maslenitsa are the pancakes. All week they eat with various additives and fillings: with sour cream, jam, caviar, cottage cheese. This choice is not accidental. After all, Maslenitsa came to us from the days of worship of pagan gods. Maslenitsa is a celebration signifying the arrival of spring. He intended to get rid of the winter and awaken nature from its sleep. And of course Slavs appealed to the Sun God, asking him to help in the expulsion of winter. Pancakes, such round and fried, symbolize the Sun.

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The first baked pancake, traditionally given to the poor. It was a ritual intended to honor the memory of deceased ancestors. This pancake was called "for the dead". The Slavs are very respectful of their dead relatives. It was thought, that they, sitting in earth, can affect crop yields year. The deceased helped to make the land fertile. Therefore, a lot of attention was paid to memorial ceremonies.

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Maslenitsa is not just a holiday. It is the people's carnival, full of fun and various entertainments. Horse riding has long been considered one of the essential traditions of carnival. Guys who want to get married, they choose a bride during the party. The groom prepares the sled in advance, decorating them so that they are the most beautiful in the district.

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Maslenitsa is the most cheerful holiday in Russia. He came to us from the time when people were fed from the ground, a good harvest was a guarantee for them that they will live, that there will be food on the table. Therefore, all rituals and customs are aimed at appeasing the gods and cheer them up. Abundant food, variety and wealth of treats were symbols of what a year would be full and rich. There is a proverb, which came from those ancient times: "At least lay the house, but celebrate the Maslenitsa!"

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Maslenitsa lasts the whole week. At the end of the Maslenitsa, Lent begins. It continues until Easter. Every day in Maslenitsa has its own name and its own customs.

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Monday - "Meeting".

On this day people built snow hill . Craftsmen were making a straw women, which is called Maslenitsa. It straw looks like a rich lady, has a variety of decorations and holds a plate of pancakes.

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Tuesday - "game".

On this day, the fun begins. Guys and girls arrange joint walks, full of laughter and fun: ride from the snowy mountains, throw snowballs, ride in a sleigh with horses. Grooms choose their brides in this day.

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Wednesday - "gourmet".

On this day, neighbors go to visit each other. They of course eat pancakes with all sorts of delicacies, share recipes, sing songs and have fun.

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Thursday - " walk around."

On this day, people to ride horses at "the sun" (clockwise) around their villages. Traditionally, such fun helps to awaken the Sun. Mens in this day compete in a fist fight.

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Friday " Mother-in-law pancakes."

In this day son-in-law visits house mother-in-law, to try her pancakes.

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Saturday - "part-time gatherings".

On this day, you can visit all your relatives. Why do you think? - Of course, again to eat pancakes and have fun!

Sunday - "forgiveness day".

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On this day it is customary to ask forgiveness from all their relatives and friends. For all the grudges that you and I had. After that, the fun begins. People sing, all join hands and dance in a circle. At the end of the fun, burn effigy of Maslenitsa. Before lighting the bonfire, people tie ribbons to it, and make their deepest desires. Together with stuffed burn all the adversity and trouble. Hot flame is designed to finally banish the winter. From this day begins the approach of spring.

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Residents are divided into 2 teams "Winter" and "Spring". They're pulling the rope. Who will win, who will rule the world - Spring or Winter. Today won the team "Spring"!

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In Pagan culture, the Carnival is of paramount importance. For the ancient Slavs, this holiday was a cult of fertility, admiration for the power of Nature. On this day, the Earth rose, absorbed the melting snow, poured juices. People wanted to help the Earth. All the rites of Shrovetide are called to sanctify the earth, fill it with strength, so that the earth gave a plentiful harvest. The burning of the effigy of carnival is an imitation of the sacrifice to the gods.
Fertile land for the Slavs was also a sign of procreation. It was believed that anyone who eats the gifts of the Earth should give rise to a new life. The idea of the cycle of life, respect for the dead, the birth of a new life - it was the main value of Slavic culture. Before the adoption of Christianity this holiday was a symbol of the unity of man and nature, a sign of victory of light and goodness over evil.

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There was also a great folk celebration in my village today. We had a great time. Children and adults ate pancakes, fragrant kebabs, sang and danced. Men were measured by force, women showed their needlework. Children had fun riding horses and tumbling in the snow. This is a wonderful time, a tribute to the traditions of our ancestors. Maslenitsa is a perfect personification of the generous Russian soul.

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Thank you for reading my story. All the photos and videos I took with Canon's camera. @Anna-Mi.

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