Hello to everyone! Maslenitsa has already begun, and it’s a beginning of Crepe week. According to the Russian Orthodox tradition, this week is annually celebrated at the end of the winter by the Russian, Ukrainian and many other nations. Mardi Gras, the Carnaval, Pancake Day, Marzanna – such holiday is famous in the whole world. This year Maslenitsa is celebrated from February 24 till March 2. It traditionally precedes the Great Lent, during which people should not eat dairy, fish, meat or drink alcohol. So Maslenitsa is considered to be the holiday of tasty food, fun and joy. Snowball fights, fairs, sledding, masquerade marches are among usual amusing traditions this week. The last day of the week of Maslenitsa is believed to be the day of “Forgiveness Sunday” when people ask one another for forgiveness and apologize for any wrong or evil doings.

If you refer to ancient Slavic mythology, you will see that Maslenitsa is closely connected to the Sun Fest, which marked the end of the winter season in old Slavic religion. According to this believing, the most traditional Maslenitsa food is considered to be crepes or pancakes, so that is why because Maslenitsa has another name of Crepe Week. Crepes (or bliny in Russian) in shape and color resembled the Sun – they are round and golden-yellow. By the way, why the crepes are better suited to bliny, though? In that case it all depends upon their thickness. Pancakes are much thicker, but Russian bliny tend to be large and thin, made of wheat, covered with fresh butter, so they are considered to be the most delicious Maslenitsa food. In fact, the name of the Maslenitsa holiday is connected with butter (maslo means butter in Russian). There are lots of toppings for Russian crepes as well. The most traditional are yes, of course, red caviar, cottage cheese, honey, sliced salmon, condensed milk, sour cream and lots of other.

Actually, you can hardly imagine the Crepe week without crepes. However, it is believed that crepes tend to be hard in making. But every Russian bride has her own family recipes for both genuine Russian pancakes and crepes, and she can cook it brilliantly! Every day of Maslenitsa week has its own meaning and name. Monday is called “Meeting Maslenitsa”, a right time to taste delicious crepes! Want to know about the others? Read us tomorrow and enjoy!

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