Shrovetide is all about public festivities, games and fun, burning a scarecrow of winter and, of course, many, many pancakes. This holiday is loved by both children and adults, they are waiting for it, they prepare for it with the whole family and celebrate it, by the way, not only in Russia.
Contrary to popular belief that Maslenitsa is a purely Slavic holiday, it is celebrated in many other countries of the world. And let it be called a little differently, let it have some specific rituals and customs in every religion, but its essence remains the same - this holiday is dedicated to the farewell to winter and precedes the beginning of Lent. According to the research data of historians, festivities similar to the Slavic Maslenitsa have been present since ancient times among peoples who, in one way or another, were related to the great Druids and the Christian faith.
Where and how Maslenitsa is celebrated
In the French-speaking countries of the world, the analogue of the Russian Maslenitsa is the Mardi Gras holiday or the so-called Fat Tuesday. On this day, colorful street processions take place, people literally indulge in gluttony, drink a lot, and refusal to celebrate, according to legends, can bring troubles and troubles to the whole family.
The most famous and most visited ritual of seeing off winter takes place in Venice. More than 3 million tourists come here every year to see the most stunning sight. Here, on the eve of the beginning of Lent, the most colorful costume carnival takes place.
In Poland, the end of winter is celebrated on the so-called Fat Thursday. On the eve of the holiday, Poles bake very fat donuts in huge quantities, and during the festival itself, an incendiary carnival takes place, in addition, on this day it is customary to gather guests for balls and parties. It is very honorable and prestigious to host friends and loved ones in your home on this day.
In Germany, a celebration similar to the Russian Maslenitsa lasts no less than 4 months and is called Fastnacht, which means "the night on the eve of fasting." In the last days of Fastnacht, the Germans, like the Russians, burn a scarecrow of winter and walk the streets in carnival costumes with funny songs and chants.
In Armenia, on Shrovetide, a lot of pilaf is prepared and distributed to those who are poor and cannot afford delicious food. In Spain, these days, sardines are being buried, and in the Czech Republic, real mares, goats or bears walk the streets.
The most unusual and strange Shrovetide rituals and customs
Many peoples can boast of unusual, and sometimes even strange and stupid rituals or customs that they have during Shrovetide. For example, in the taverns of Poland these days you can easily buy a young unmarried girl. In the Czech Republic, guys in the guise of chimney sweeps can tie a wooden block to a girl's neck or hand, and if she does not want to wear such a "decoration", then she must pay off. In the Balkan countries, on Shrovetide, bachelors are dragged along the street in pig troughs. And among the peoples professing Buddhism, these days it is customary to purify from sins, diseases and failures - they do this with the help of a small piece of dough, from which they then make a doll and burn it in a ritual fire, accompanying all their actions with prayers.
