This year, like a year before, I had opportunity to document celebration of Maslenitsa at Glasgow Russian School. It was an amazing experience for all involved – pancakes (blini), dancing, guests dressed in traditional clothing.
Maslenitsa, an Eastern Slavic festival, takes its roots in pagan past and considered to be one of the oldest surviving Slavic holidays. However, today it is an Orthodox Christian holiday, observed by Russians, Belarusians and Ukranians across the globe.
Traditional attribute of Maslenitsa, pancakes, are made with ingredients that are still permitted to fasting Orthodox Christians during this time. Maslenitsa is the last chance for them to take part in social activities such as dancing and celebrating before Great Lent.
Secular Russians, Belarusians and Ukranians celebrate Maslenitsa too, but they don’t give up meat and other otherwise forbidden foods. For them this festival is just another opportunity to celebrate their culture and heritage.
Copyright for all photos: Yuliya Chystaya