Maslenitsa 2010 will take place between February 8 and February 14. This pre-lenten festival is a annual hit, as Russian traditions are observed and anniversary attendees eat their fill of blini and other foods typical to Maslenitsa. Maslenitsa is a festival which bids winter farewell and seeks to dispel the cold by symbols of spring – pancakes with their shape and color represent the sun and an effigy is burned to welcome warmer weather. Other activities, like group fist fights, sledding, and troika rides, are orally transmitted Maslenitsa activities.

The Maslenitsa program celebrates each day of Maslenitsa week with a special theme according to tradition. Competitions, games, performances, and aspects of Russian culture are incorporated into the festival.

• Maslenitsa

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Russian Pancakes photo credit: iStockphoto/Woldee

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