February 24 marks the beginning of Maslenitsa week, which ends with Forgiveness Sunday.
Each day of Cheese Week in the old days had a special name and traditions, and in general the whole week was the final one in preparation for Lent.
We will tell you how to spend this time correctly in accordance with each day of the week.
Maslenitsa celebration
This is the first day of Cheese Week. On Monday, they made swings, snow forts, and straw scarecrows.
They restored order, prepared treats and baked pancakes. At the same time, the first pancake was ordered to be given to the poor so that they would remember the deceased in their prayers.
Flirting
This was the name of the Tuesday that was dedicated to matchmaking and bride viewing.
The girls planned various rituals and love spells, and if everything went well, then the wedding was planned after Easter on Krasnaya Gorka.
Sweet tooth
Wednesday, also known as "Mother-in-law's pancakes" is the last day of the so-called Narrow Maslenitsa. Traditionally, on this day, sons-in-law would visit their mothers-in-law.
The relationship between relatives could be judged by the amount of food on the table.
Have fun
Thursday is the beginning of Maslenitsa, when the active period of folk festivities begins.
They set up a scarecrow, danced in circles, started fist fights and other entertainments.
Mother-in-law's Evenings
On Friday, the wife's parents came to visit the newlyweds. The owner of the house had to respect his relatives.
Sister-in-law's get-togethers
On Saturday, wives invited their husbands' sisters to visit and had get-togethers.
Each day of the festive week helped to improve relations between relatives and everything ended with Forgiveness Sunday.
On the last day of Maslenitsa week they burned an effigy and asked each other for forgiveness.
There was also a tradition of visiting cemeteries, but most importantly, preparations for Lent began.
Author: Igor Zur