Maslenka week: traditions and customs by day

Maslenitsa is a bright and joyful holiday, marking a farewell to winter and the meeting of spring. This weekly cycle is full of many traditions and rituals, each of which has a deep symbolic meaning. Let’s take a look at how this holiday week goes. Monday - The first meeting with Maslenitsa begins on Monday. It is on this day that the festivities begin. In the old days, it was customary to install a straw carnival - a symbol of winter, which was then burned at the end of the week. Also began the construction of snow towns and slides for games and fun. The first pancake, baked by the mistress of the house, was traditionally given to the poor or left to remember the deceased ancestors. The second day is dedicated to youth games and fun. On Tuesday, young people arranged flirtations and matchmaking. Guys and girls competed in various competitions, sledging and swinging. Especially popular were games like “snow fight”, when participants threw snowballs. All this created an atmosphere of frivolous fun and romantic mood. The third day of Maslenitsa is considered a tasty piece of the whole week. On Wednesday, the mother-in-law invites her son-in-law to pancakes. According to an ancient custom, the son-in-law comes to visit his wife’s mother, where she demonstrates her culinary skill, offering a variety of types of pancakes: with cottage cheese, sour cream, honey and other fillings. It was believed that the better the mother-in-law accepts, the more mutual understanding will be in the family. Thursday – Wide Shrovetide The fourth day is marked by a wide Shrovetide, which was considered the peak of folk festivals. Thursday was famous for its mass entertainment: sledging, horse racing, taking snow fortresses and other active fun. Men arranged fist fights, demonstrating strength and agility. On this day, the tables were full of treats, pies and honey drinks were especially popular. Preparing for Maslenitsa: 5 simplest recipes for pancakes Friday - Mother-in-law evening On the fifth day it is the turn of the son-in-law to invite her mother-in-law to visit. Unlike Wednesday, he now hosts guests and demonstrates his ability to farm. The owner of the house tries to surprise the mother-in-law with a variety of treats, showing how caring and skillful she is. On this day it was customary to give gifts and strengthen family ties. Saturday - Zolovkins gatherings On Saturday, the main guest becomes the sister of her husband - the sister-in-law. Young brides invited her and other relatives to tea parties and conversations. These meetings were accompanied by needlework, storytelling and songs. Often large groups of women gathered to discuss household affairs and household secrets. Sunday – Forgiveness Sunday The final day of Shrovet – Sunday – is called Forgiveness Sunday. It is a day of forgiveness and spiritual purification. People ask each other for forgiveness for any sins accumulated over the year. After the church service, an effigy of Maslenitsa is burned, symbolizing the passing of winter and the purification of everything old. This ceremony is accompanied by folk festivals, songs and dances. So ends this bright and multifaceted week, full of traditions, games and delicious treats. It helps to strengthen family and friendly relations, gives joy of communication and prepares people for an important spiritual stage - Lent.

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