Carnival in Russia
MaslenitsaMaslenitsa, Masnitsya or Maslenica (in Russian: Масленица, in Ukrainian: Масниця and in Belarusian: Масьленіца) known as the Week of the Butter, the Creperie and the Cheese is a religious and folkloric festival celebrated in the east zone of the Slavic countries (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc ...). It is celebrated during the last week before the Great Lent. The festivity is equivalent to the Catholic Christian Carnival, unlike the Orthodox Lent that starts on Monday instead of Wednesday.
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During this week the consumption of meat is forbidden, being eggs, dairy products and other products not derived from meat allowed, to be known as Syropustnaya nedelya (Festival of cheese). The most characteristic food is the blini accompanied by butter, eggs and milk. From paganism the circular shape and the golden tone of the blini symbolized the praises of the sun.
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Throughout the Maslenitsa week, the traditional activities usually vary. On the first day they welcome the "Chuchelo Maslenitsy" ("Scarecrow of the Maslenitsa") made by hand with straw according to the Kostroma tradition. Then, it is taken out in procession while the public distributes empanadas to the poor. The last day is known as the "Day of Forgiveness" (Voskresenie provody). This day consists of visiting family and friends and making peace as well as giving gifts. As a final point to the festivity, the scarecrow is set on fire in a bonfire.
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