Any holiday that heavily features pancakes is cause in itself for celebration. Also known as Butter Week, Pancake Week or Cheesefare Week, Maslenitsa is a weeklong Russian holiday that celebrates the coming of spring.

At its heart are blini (also known as bliny or blintz), round, golden pancakes that are said to symbolise the sun.

The origins of the holiday are both pagan and Christian. In Slavic Mythology it forms a sun festival honoring the end of winter. For Christians, the fact that it coincides with the last week before Great Lent (the 40-day period of fasting in preparation for Orthodox Easter), gives it an important religious significance.

Maslenitsa comes from the Russian word maslo, which means butter or oil. During Lent, dairy and animal products are forbidden, as are parties, music, dancing and drinking alcohol. Thus, for many Russians, it represents the last chance to indulge before this sober time.

In ancient times, Maslenitsa camps, set up at central squares in Russia’s towns and cities, played host to fairs, circuses, pubs, dancing, games and of course lots of delicious pancake baking and eating. The festivities held in Moscow’s historic Red Square were halted for many years, but were reinstated by the city’s mayor in 2002 and now draw large crowds each year.

The holiday has been called ‘the Russian Mardi Gras’ and, indeed, the weeklong festival sees Moscow’s streets jingling with sleigh bells and awash in fancy dress. In a country where temperatures dip to sub-zero in winter, it’s little surprise that the seasons’ end sees the nation’s citizens in high spirits.

Each day of the week of Maslenitsa is traditionally designated for a different activity. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for ‘playing’ and ‘merry making’ respectively and are the time for such fun frivolities as snowball fights and carnivals. There are also days for taking blini to the poor and serving the pancakes to various family members. The last day of Maslenitsa is Forgiveness Sunday, when people ask each other’s forgiveness in order to be freed from sins before Lent.

Whether pagan or Christian, all Russians appreciate the central role of blini during Maslenitsa. The little pancakes are typically smaller and thicker than regular pancakes and are usually made of rye, wheat or buckwheat flour. Yeast is also added to give them their characteristic lightness and tang. They are then served hot, typically with butter, sour cream, caviar, mushrooms, or some combination of all of the above, or may be stuffed with various fillings. Anchovies, herrings and salted salmon are also common companions. And, in true Russian style, they are frequently washed down with plenty of vodka – said to help neutralise the cream and fats.

To learn more about modern-day Maslenitsa celebrations in Russia, visit the Maslenitsa Pride website, created by the Moscow City Committee for Tourism: http://www.maslenitsa.com/

Celebrating Maslenitsa in Australia

Most self-respecting Russian restaurants have some form of blini on the menu all year around. “They’re a very big part of the Russian cuisine,” explains Andrei Saveliev, owner of The Coachmen Russian Restaurant in Sydney’s Surry Hills. During Maslenitsa, Saveliev will sometimes give away stuffed crepes to his customers.

But Saveliev adds that, in Australia at least, the holiday is not so big amongst non-religious Russians and not one he himself really celebrates. “It is more celebrated in the religious communities and the churches,” he says. “Usually they make pancakes and visit with family and friends.”

Nonetheless, some cities in Australia with a large Russian population may see organised events during Maslenitsa. In 2006, for example, celebrations were held in Melbourne’s Federation Square. Contact your local Russian community centre or church for more information.

The Russian Ethnic Community Council of NSW website lists Russian community and cultural organisations throughout Australia.
http://www.russiansinaustralia.org.au/

Russian Ethnic Representative Council – Victoria
http://www.rerc.org.au/