Maslenitsa in Belarus: beautiful traditions, festivities and dishes

Cheerful Maslenitsa Week, one of the most favorite and colorful folk holidays, began on 20 February. Since ancient times these seven days have symbolized the winter farewell and getting rid of the old and unnecessary, and what is important, the coming of spring, awakening and renewal of nature. This holiday is still widely celebrated in Belarus.

Celebrations have kicked off across the country with ancient rites, theatrical performances, roundelays and games, tasting of delicious pancakes and certainly the burning of winter effigies – the main attribute of Maslenitsa feast. According to the traditions of ancestors, on the first day of the holiday week, people make a straw effigy and burn it in fire, along with the winter and heavy thoughts at the end of the week.

Combining the ancient pagan rites and traditions of Christianity, every day of the Maslenitsa Week is filled with beautiful family and friendly traditions and has a special name: the Welcoming, the Playing, the Sweet Tooth day, the Wide Thursday, Mother-in-Law’s Evening, Daughter-in-Law’s Parties, the Forgiveness Sunday…

Maslenitsa-2017 in photos from different parts of Belarus…