Shrovetide
At the end of February untill the beginning of March, a week before the Lent (Великий пост), Russian people celebrate Shrovetide. This is the only authentic Slavic holiday that didn't get affected by anything and that still has some traits of heathendom.
The main Shrovetide meal is, of course, pancakes (blini). Russians cook pancakes which resemble the Sun and symbolize the coming of Summer. Pancakes abound in restaurant menus, they’re prepared at home, but the best way to eat your pancakes is on a festive paper tray in the open air, enjoying the contrast of the hot food with the cold street. Typically, these trays can be found in places where folk festivals and outdoor concerts are held. Pancakes are best washed down with hot tea.
Other traditions of Shrovetide week are ice skating, riding on colorfully decorated sledges (сани), singing songs and family partying. On city streets Shrovetide events take place: actors dress up in folk costumes, comic fights are arranged, snow castles stormed (mostly in parks), dancing and singing. Squares host concerts. Shrovetide is especially picturesque in old Russian cities, because there, like nowhere else, you can feel the closeness to the ancient traditions.
The culmination of the Shrovetide week is the farewell to the Shrovetide - the burning of a saw dummy of Shrovetide dressed in old clothes as a symbol of the Winter. This event symbolizes the funeral of everything that has to pass away and the birth of everything new.
