Pancake Day in Russia and some words about its traditions

This year Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian people celebrate the holiday of Maslenitsa or Pancake Day during the week from 3 till 9 of March. It is an age-old Slavonic holiday. People celebrate the beginning of spring. The most important symbol of Maslenitsa is pancakes or so called “Blini”. Pancake is the sign of round and hot sun. And most people believe that when they eat pancakes during this holiday week they eat the piece of warm and power of the Sun.
Each day of Maslenitsa has specific rites. For example on Wednesday of Maslenitsa, mother-in-love invites her son-in-love with his Russian wife to taste her pancakes. Especially this custom is observed relatively newly married couple or young Russian bride and her fiancé. On Friday the son-in-law invites his mother-in-law to their place. Sunday of Maslenitsa week got the name of Forgiveness Day. This day all people ask for forgiveness if they hurt somebody with word or with deed.
Good Russian wife should know how to cook delicious pancakes. If you date beautiful Russian lady, Ukrainian girl or Belarus women, you may ask her to treat you to pancakes with jam, sour-crème, salmon, or even caviar.

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