The Pancake week (Shrovetide) is in full swing in Perm!

Photo: Vitaly Koksharov

The most cheerful holiday in Russia started on March 8. This holiday is considered to come from pre-Christian times, when the Slavs were pagans.

Maslenitsa is celebrated during the week preceding the Lent. Also known as “butter week”, it is a way to welcome spring by eating tons of blini pancakes and engaging into exuberant festivities.

Every day of Maslenitsa used to be devoted to special rituals but these are rarely observed in present day Russia. Now only the grand finale of the pancake week is celebrated widely. The final day of Maslenitsa is the day of forgiving. A day when people ask for the forgiveness of others, forgive all the wrong done against them and with a light heart enjoy festivities. No wonder Sunday is the most fun. Dancing, fistfights, sleigh riding, folk festivals, puppet shows, fireworks and tons of delicious food!

As you might have guessed, Maslenitsa is all about pancakes or blini. They are freshly made every day and supposedly symbolize the Sun (round, yellow and hot), so by eating pancakes, people consume its warmth and energy. Russians try to eat as many of those as possible for the whole week.

On the last day of Maslenitsa comes the most interesting event – saying goodbye to Maslenitsa - a solemn burning of the straw stuffed doll, dressed in female clothes, which marks the imminent end of winter.

On Sunday, March 14, Perm will celebrate the end of the Maslenitsa week. The largest festive events on this occasion will be held at various venues in the downtown of the city.

For residents, a festive program with participation of Perm actors, dancers and musicians will be arranged. Tents selling all kinds of food have already appeared in the city centre. Perm residents treat themselves to pancakes, hot sbiten (a drink from water, honey and spices), nuts, honey gingerbreads and tea from boiling samovars but peculiarity of this year is to strictly observe the regulations due to the pandemic.