RU
Maslenitsa has been the most cheerful and noisy folk holiday since ancient times.
The purpose of Maslenitsa, a week-long festival, is to help ward off winter and wake up nature from sleep for the start of the planting season. This is what all the traditions of this wonderful holiday are aimed at.
All the students at ISSPB during the Maslenitsa Week (this year from March 31st – April 4th) also immersed themselves in the Russian traditional world and the farewell of winter.
We went to the Russian village Shuvalovka to welcome the beautiful Spring fervently, to respect her in accordance with the ancient customs of the Russian people, and not just to have fun, but also to gain knowledge. We were met by the Mistress of the Izba, a Craftswoman, Baba Yaga and a Buffoon.
The Mistress of the Izba explained the traditions of the event, the meaning of each day during the festive week, and with her we sang great songs and played instruments. The younger children made a stuffed doll with a Craftswoman and the older children learned to throw a spear and arrows like true hunters and heroes. The buffoons arranged street games for the children. As a culmination, Baga-Yaga showed us a fire show before we watched the burning of the doll.
Can we celebrate Maslenitsa without pancakes? Absolutely not! We had a delicious lunch, drank Ivan tea and ate pancakes with caviar and jam.
Without songs, dances and round dances, Maslenitsa is not Maslenitsa. Back at school on Friday, Reception and Year 1 sang the song “Antoshka”, and Year 2 and 3 danced “Kalinka”. We enjoyed the show, which included dancing and singing from the children in Years 4-9. The children played a musical game with carousel ribbons, sang chastushki, led a round dance, whilst we were treated to instrumental interludes played on the saxophone and flute. The parents joined us in the singing of Zaklichki.
And together as one we ate a delicious lunch with pies, red caviar, pancakes and jam that our wonderful chefs prepared. A Samovar and bagels added a Russian atmosphere to the event.
Maslenitsa has a lot of traditions. Some of them have been forgotten, whilst others are still alive. Everyone celebrates in their own way and adds something of their own, but the main thing remains unchanged, welcome in the coming of Spring with pancakes and universal festivities.
Miss Nadezhda, Head of Russian
