Today and tomorrow are the last days of Russian Pancake Week marking the end of winter and coming of spring with the Great Lent after it. This holiday in Russia is called Maslenitsa.
Whole week long Russians eat pancakes, invite guests over and participate in different outdoor events. The culmination of the week is burning down a big straw doll symbolizing winter.
It is interesting how a totally pagan holiday is laced into religious cycles of Orthodox Christianity as Maslenitsa is always followed by the Great Lent.
The Great Lent lasts 7 weeks and finishes with Orthodox Easter. Join the celebration on the Red Square during our tour of historical center of Moscow!