I just got back from this fun annual popular holiday. It was a wonderful day, my friends. I would like to share with you the atmosphere and positive things that have filled our present day.
It is a folk festival with mass celebrations, games, fun, jokes, songs and dances. It is a tradition that has its roots in the distant past. It is a pagan holiday that embodies the worship of the sun God (Yarilo). This event is celebrated on the day of the spring solstice or equinox, when the day becomes longer than night. Since ancient times it was believed that these days the earth comes the warm weather, retreating extreme cold, the sun begins to bake and comes the melting of snow.
Of course before the onset of real spring warmth it will take another couple of months, but the ceremony and tradition are so much stuck in the Slavic people, which, even with the advent of Christianity, the Russian people showed sharpness and slightly altered some inconsistencies with the origins of this rite.
Many traditions are being revived in Russia, and this is no exception. In our days in different cities and villages all week bake pancakes, visit each other's homes. The main sense of all Shrovetide ceremonies consists in helping the nature to Wake up after a winter sleep, to fill the earth with new forces, to say goodbye as soon as possible with all snows and frosts so bothered.
We arrived today at the State Museum reserve " Pavlovsk ". It is here that the landscape Park hosts all the best carnivals, shows and festivals, which very clearly reflect the customs and traditions of our people.
The territory of this Park is so huge that it is simply impossible to walk through everything here. But today is a special day for visitors and guests of the national festival in honor of the Russian carnival was a large number of carriages, sledges , carts pulled by horses.
The famous "Russian Troika". It's the same symbol as the matryoshka doll as the samovar.
Of course in such winter day this samovar with hot tea attracted a lot of people. Not even just to drink a Cup of hot tea, but also to take a photo for memory.
Ah of course same-Russians pancakes! They are the main character of the holiday.
Several teams of cooks baked pancakes. After all, everyone today should eat at least one such pancake.
Light frost and a little snow only gave a reason to try various treats on this holiday.
A lot of people came to this festival with their families, children and friends. The program of festive events is very diverse and is designed for children and adults.
Such mass celebrations are held with horseback riding, sports competitions, winter fun, fun games and competitions.
Every holiday in Russian style can not do without a fair. Everywhere there are shopping pavilions , where everyone can buy all sorts of Goodies, Souvenirs and folk crafts.
Today, craftsmen and craftsmen showed their work. Here and wicker baskets, and pottery, and many more beautiful, very sincere,our native, truly Russian. Everyone can buy a gift here for themselves or their loved ones.
What kind of folk festivals without music and dance?
Today, creative musical groups replaced each other on this stage. Their incendiary songs and dances raised our spirits and created an atmosphere of national unity.
It is the effigy of Maslenitsa. It's made of straw. At the end of the festival it is customary to burn it. It is a tradition. This rite of passage suggests that we say goodbye to past problems, sorrows and hardships. So we banish the cold winter and meet the spring. Our ancestors believed that so ashes will be scattered on fields and there will be a rich harvest. The size of the fire determines what will be the upcoming spring.
These little Souvenirs are a symbol of carnival. We buy them here at the fair in order to mentally invest in them our sorrows and difficulties. At the end of the festival we will throw them in the fire to the big stuffed carnival. So we get rid of the misfortune this year.
"Maslenitsa" is a huge holiday and it is known in other countries. But with such scope as in Russia it is not celebrated anywhere. We met here today tourists and visitors from different countries, who despite our winter cold is with great pleasure that joined the fun carnival.
Today I am happy that I can share this national holiday here on Steemit. I hope You are interested to learn about the traditions and rituals in our country. This folk festival is a good illustrative example of how we honor customs and preserve cultural heritage.
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia. The state Museum reserve "Pavlovsk "
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 59.910976 широта 30.344238 длинные "русская Масленица". Государственный музей-заповедник "Павловск" d3scr)
All photos and video materials are my property.Camera SONY DSC-W350
Thank you for Your attention and Your visit. I appreciate Your feedback and comments.
You have went beyond words to describe.
I am glad that I understand you and your people.
You have been and are who I am as well.
That is a good place to start to understand what we all want and
need in our world to not only survive, but to thrive as well.
Thank you
Francis
I'm very touched by your words, Francis . I am always grateful for your support, Thank you!
HI SUCH A NICE ARTICLE...LOT OF NICE PHOTOS! ANON LOVES FESTIVALS AND CARNIVALS. COULD YOU ALSO PLEASE COMMENT ON MY...THX n UOPVOTEd
https://steemit.com/carnival/@mfg/masopust-original-czech-tradition-carneval-of-meat-and-fasting-shrovetide-feast-in-trutnov-cesky-krumlov
You have described this celebrations so detailed and completely picture reported that It encourages me to go and take part one day despite the cold. It looks like all people around enjoy the snow, you are perfectly adapted to such conditions.
I could play the videos without problems, awesome ones!.
Love the crafts and their meaning for you. The perfect gift for those you love.
Thank you so much for your efforts to catch for us the feelings and atmosphere around, it's not the same to see official reports, personal point of views gives them spirit and personality.
I can see you really love your culture and you are making us love them too.
Cheers 😉
Good afternoon, @drakernoise! I spent many hours at this winter festival. We shot a lot of pictures to show You all. It really was a fun and large-scale event. Our weather is still quite far from a warm spring. In Russia the winter lasts for a long time. Snow can be from November to may ( in the worst case). But we're really used to it. I am very glad that you made this virtual trip to St. Petersburg. Thank you, my friend and have a nice Weekend :)
Hei @madlenfox what an Amazing festival in snow winter.. I saw many happiness there, love to see the tradition around the world, and today I can see Russian awesome culture, Many of handmade product there.. It was amazed me you put tons of photos to share the happiness to world.
I still in Jakarta know, I have new surprise too, check it out later..ha ha ha ha
Greeting from Indonesia :D
I'm glad to See You here. It's a good thing you found some time to watch this carnival. I also follow with great interest the customs and traditions of different peoples of the world. We can all tell a lot more about our lives in different countries here. Thanks @dilimunanzar
How interesting is to see in the first place how many traditional festivities all around the world are interconected through the movent of the Sun, Earth and Moon, they we can consider the first parents. It's clear how the Sun is returning to your home!! :) Then, you have all that beautiful people, full of colors and smiles no matter the snow, shows the warm hearts glad to share nature and ancient knowledge with some tea and bread. it's just great!! Then you have those animals just beside people in perfect harmony it's like travel to another time. What a combination of everything that means peace, beauty and love!!
Thank you @MadlenFox for this travel to your land and people, through the heart!! All the Light for you!!! <3
PS I was much surprised to see that corn!! :)
Thank you, thank you! thank you!!!!
Thank you for taking part in this months #culturevulture challenge. Good Luck.
Great photos and text, @madlenfox! I would add that it is not possible tasting just one pancake… I usually call an ambulance after 9th :)
Pancake week in Russia is a holiday of gluttony (ha ha) Even those who don't like pancakes should at least try to eat a little. Thank You!
Great photo story! Thank you for the beauty!
Really liked the photos.
And camels, and deer, and Russian triples...
Happy holidays to you!
With the forgiveness Sunday!
Good and prosperity!
Wonderful mood!
Fun and happiness!
И видео чудесные ))
thank you @singa, It is so nice that on Steemit has a people with our traditions. I also wish You good holidays with family and friends!
very nice articel and awesome photpgraphy friend @madlenfox i love your post thank you for sharing with us
Thank you, @alimuddin. I am very happy :)
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this. It is a lovely insight into your country's culture and traditions.
It looks like a really fun way to spend the day but I can't help feeling cold when I look at it. 😊 I'm suprised a camel can survive there!
I'm not sure why but you're videos don't play which is a shame. They say "this video is unavailable" both here and on YouTube.
I wish my upvote was worth more so I could reward you appropriately for such a great post. 😢
Hope you've got something fun planned for today too! 😊
I did the settings, maybe something changed already in the video, you can check. I'm not good at it yet.) Thank You Jillian! I'm glad You like it. It was a fun event. I'm happy to share it with you. I wish you a nice weekend :)
Thank you for this great article! My mother is Russian, so yesterday she told me about this holiday, but I had no idea, that it has such interesting and colorful celebration and rituals! I knew only about the pancakes :D So thank you for sharing, it was quite interesting to learn more :)
I am very pleased to know that you are familiar with Russian culture. I'm sure Your mother has told me a lot about it. I am glad that I was able to expand your understanding of the national traditions of Russian people. Thanks for Your comment, I wish You a good Weekend.