Maslenitsa translates to butter in Russian. This festival is known as: “Butter Week” Pancake toppings include butter, but also caviar, jam and sour cream Given to friends and family as a sign of warmth. Pagan and Christian origins In Slavic Mythology, it’s the Sun Festival Celebrates the end of winter Celebrated during the last week of Great Lent In Orthodox Christianity, meat is prohibited during this last week. Milk, cheese, & other dairy products allowed. Last chance to have dairy products and festivities before Lent. Pancakes, or Bliny (in Russian), symbolize the sun Snowball fights, Sledding, Riding on Swings, Sleigh rides, puppets, singing, theatre, fireworks, fist fighting (honoring military) and bear fights Mascot = Lady Meslenitsa She is a brightly dressed straw effigy Burned at the end of the celebration Symbolizes the end of winter, and the ashes are buried to symbolize fertility Russian Carnival Created by George Fuzayl ‘14