{"id":1876,"date":"2011-03-03T08:00:31","date_gmt":"2011-03-03T08:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2014-07-17T14:34:28","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T14:34:28","slug":"happy-maslenitsa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/happy-maslenitsa\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Cheese Week!"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

This week Russians are celebrating \u00ab<\/strong>\u041c\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Maslenitsa], also known as \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u044b<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [lit. cheese-fare week]. And even thought it\u2019s already Thursday, the real fun stuff is just beginning. So read on. Also, I\u2019d like to thank one of our readers, Olga Tarn<\/strong>, for reminding me to write this post as well as for finding awesome sites about Maslenitsa. Without you, Olga, this post wouldn\u2019t have happened! The painting, by Boris Kustodiev, is called “Maslenitsa”.<\/em><\/p>\n

For me spring starts on March 1st<\/sup>, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I can\u2019t imagine having to wait 19 more days until March 20th<\/sup> to say \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0449\u0430<\/span>\u0439, <\/strong>\u0437\u0438\u043c\u0430<\/span>!\u00bb<\/strong> [so long, winter!]. So to all who argue and urge to wait a few more days, I say \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u0441\u043d\u0430<\/span> <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u0432\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043c\u044f <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0430, <\/strong>\u0430 <\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043e\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0434\u0443\u0448\u0438<\/span>!\u00bb<\/strong> [spring is not just a season, but a state of one\u2019s soul!].<\/p>\n

With this in mind, let\u2019s celebrate Spring 2011! Right away, the first holiday is \u00ab<\/strong>\u041c\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Maslenitsa] which is all about \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043e\u0434\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [send-off] of winter and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0447\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [welcoming] of spring. And this year Maslenitsa started on February 28th<\/sup> and goes through March 6th<\/sup>. Not too late to join in.<\/p>\n

Last year Josefina did a wonderful post about Maslenitsa that included a step-by-step instruction<\/a> for making \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u043b\u0438\u043d\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [thin pancakes, crepes, or just blini]. Definitely try making them. Just keep in mind that \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0435<\/span>\u0440\u0432\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0431\u043b\u0438\u043d <\/strong>\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u043e\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [the first pancake is always a failure].<\/p>\n

This is, in general, a very helpful and widely used expression worth remembering even if you end up not making the blini this year. \u00a0Just like its closest English-language equivalent – \u201cpractice makes perfect\u201d – its uses are practically unlimited. Although using it to describe your eldest child, however, is a bit insensitive, regardless of the child\u2019s age.<\/p>\n

But Maslenitsa is about a lot more than cooking and eating delicious pancakes and learning fun and immensely useful Russian expressions. Each day of Maslenitsa has its own name and associated traditions.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you\u2019ve missed:<\/p>\n

Monday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0447\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [welcoming] – \u00a0on this day \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0443<\/span>\u0433\u0430\u043b\u043e <\/strong>\u041c\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [the Maslenitsa scarecrow] is made with \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [straw] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043e\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0436\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [old clothes]. It is paraded around in \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [a sleigh].<\/p>\n

Tuesday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u0438\u0433\u0440\u044b\u0448\u00bb<\/strong> [flirting] – young single people go sledding together and then – off to eat blini. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [viewing of brides] were traditionally held on this day.<\/p>\n

Wednesday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u043a\u043e\u043c\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [feasting, particularly on sweets] – that\u2019s the day when \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u044f\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [son-in-law] visited his \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0449\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [mother-in-law] to eat pancakes. This tradition gave rise to another widely used expression, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a <\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0449\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0431\u043b\u0438\u043d\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [lit. to go eat mother-in-law\u2019s pancakes]. Its meaning outside of the tradition itself is similar to \u201ca cakewalk\u201d. \u00ab<\/strong>\u042d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e <\/strong>\u0432\u0430\u043c <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u043a <\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0449\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0431\u043b\u0438\u043d\u044b<\/span> <\/strong>\u0445\u043e\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> means that something is no cakewalk.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the real Maslenitsa fun is just beginning. You see, the last four days of Maslenitsa are known as \u00ab<\/strong>\u0428\u0438\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u041c\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Broad Maslenitsa]. One is not supposed to work on these days.<\/p>\n

Thursday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0437\u0433\u0443\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [carousing] – You\u2019ll need all your energy for \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0443\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [open-air celebration]. Traditionally, this is the day for merriment of all kinds, including \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0443\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0431\u043e\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [knuckle fighting], playing \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0442\u0443\u0440\u043c <\/strong>\u0441\u043d\u0435<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u043e\u0439 <\/strong>\u043a\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [attack on a snow fort], and various competitions. Whatever activities you choose to do this day must end in \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0438\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [a small feast]. Note that, as in many other cases, the diminutive is used self-deprecatingly and in no way refers to the actual size of the feast or the amount of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0443\u0433\u043e\u0449\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [food] served there.<\/p>\n

Friday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0449\u0438\u043d\u044b <\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u0447\u0451<\/span>\u0440\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [mother-in-law\u2019s evening] – no work today either. Instead, men get ready for a visit from their mothers-in-law. What exactly do men do to prepare is a mystery since their wives are the ones who are supposed to make pancakes. And the \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u0449\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> herself is supposed to send all the tools and ingredients. I guess, men are to spend the day preparing selves mentally for the challenge. After all, mothers-in-law are supposed to bring her \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [relatives] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0433\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [female friends] along.<\/p>\n

Saturday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u043e\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043a\u0438\u043d\u044b <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [sister-in-law\u2019s visitation] – young wives invited their husbands\u2019 sisters and other relatives over. The way it works is if the sister-in-law is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u0443\u0436\u0435\u043c\u00bb<\/strong> [married] then married \u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u043e\u0434\u043d\u044f<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [relatives] are invited to the party. If she\u2019s \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0437\u0430\u043c\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u044f\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [single, not married], only girlfriends are invited and the party turns into \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [girls-only party]. Take one last picture of your Maslenitsa scarecrow before setting it on fire. Scatter the ashes around your potted plants.<\/p>\n

Sunday – \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043e\u0434\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [farewell party] – the last day of Maslenitsa is also called \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0449\u0451<\/span>\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0440\u0435\u0441\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [The Forgiveness Sunday]. Call all your friends and family and ask their forgiveness for any wrongs and hurts you inflicted on them. A frequent response to \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span> <\/strong>\u043c\u0435\u043d\u044f<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [forgive me] is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0411\u043e\u0433 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [God will forgive]. Once that\u2019s done and over with, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0445\u043e\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0431\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u044e\u00bb<\/strong> [go to a steam bath]. If none is nearby, then take a bath or shower. Finish up as much of the delicious food as you can, then burn the rest (ok, I\u2019m going to compost it).<\/p>\n

Once the holiday is over, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0412\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [the Lent] begins. It\u2019s just like the saying goes \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432\u0441\u0451 <\/strong>\u043a\u043e\u0442\u0443<\/span> <\/strong>\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430, <\/strong>\u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0442 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0412\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [it\u2019s not all Maslenitsa for the cat; the Lent is coming]. The meaning is the clearest on the last day of Maslenitsa – every day is not Sunday.<\/p>\n

Happy Maslenitsa! How are you celebrating Maslenitsa this year?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

This week Russians are celebrating \u00ab\u041c\u0430\u0441\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0446\u0430\u00bb [Maslenitsa], also known as \u00ab\u0441\u044b\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f \u043d\u0435\u0434\u0435\u043b\u044f\u00bb [lit. cheese-fare week]. And even thought it\u2019s already Thursday, the real fun stuff is just beginning. So read on. Also, I\u2019d like to thank one of our readers, Olga Tarn, for reminding me to write this post as well as for finding…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":1881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,8,7827,913,7826],"tags":[35325,1227,385636,35327,1240,385639,35326,1268,13008],"class_list":["post-1876","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-language","category-russian-life","category-traditions","category-when-in-russia","tag-blini","tag-russian-culture","tag-russian-food","tag-russian-holiday-traditions","tag-russian-holidays","tag-russian-life","tag-russian-pancakes","tag-russian-proverbs","tag-russian-sayings"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1876"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11286,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876\/revisions\/11286"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}