Maslenitsa

Fête paienne annuelle

Maslenitsa - c'est la semaine qui précède le Carême et qui sépare les deux saisons les plus importantes du calendrier slave - l'hiver et le printemps. Elle était largement célébrée en Russie et plus modestement en Ukraine et en Biélorussie. Le dimanche précédant la semaine de Maslenitsa était le dernier jour où la consommation de la viande était autorisée. Ce jour-là, on organisait des repas de famille (par exemple, le beau-père invitait son gendre à "finir le mouton"). Parfois, on faisait un feu en expliquant aux enfants qu'on y "brûle la viande".

Le plat principal de Maslenitsa était les bliny, ainsi que le poisson et les produits laitiers. Le premier blin était destiné aux disparus (on le posait près de la fenêtre) ou aux mendiants. On donnait les bliny et les ustensiles utilisés pour leur confection aux mains de l'effigie (pleine de paille) de Maslenitsa qu'on brûlait à la fin de la semaine en tant que symbole de la nourriture "grasse".

Les bliny, symbole de soleil, étaient consommés en grande quantité!

Une partie importante des habitudes de Maslenitsa avait un rapport avec le mariage et la famille: les mariés de l'année précédente étaient à l'honneur. On les soumettait aussi aux "épreuves" - par exemple, ils devaient s'embrasser en public, on les couvrait de neige ou de paille, etc. Les belles-familles se rendaient fréquemment visite durant la semaine de Maslenitsa.

Les garçons et les filles qui n'avaient pas trouvé de compagnon étaient "punis" - on leur attachait un bout de bois, une branche ou un ruban à la jambe et ils devaient le porter un certain temps. Pour se faire enlever cet objet, les "punis" devaient payer avec de l'argent ou de la nourriture.

Le jour le plus important de Maslenitsa était le dimanche précédant le Carême. Les gens se demandaient pardon pour toutes les offenses et visitaient les cimetières.

Le dernier jour, on confectionnait une effigie de Maslenitsa avec de la paille ou des chiffons, on l'habillait en femme, on la portait dans tout le village, ensuite on la brûlait, noyait ou tout simplement déchirait, en éparpillant la paille dans les champs. Maslenitsa était parfois vivante - on transportait une jeune femme bien habillée ou une vieille ivrogne en loques, et une fois sortis du village, on la renversait dans la neige.

Le premier jour du Carême symbolisait la fin de Maslenitsa. Lundi était le jour où on se purifiait du péché et de la nourriture grasse. Les hommes "se rinçaient les dents", c'est-à-dire buvaient de la vodka pour soi-disant éliminer de la bouche les restes des repas festifs; dans certains régions, ils organisaient des combats à poings nus pour "vider les bliny". Les femmes nettoyaient la vaisselle pour en supprimer le gras, et tout le monde se lavait dans des bains, seuls ou en petits groupes dans des cabanes aménagées comme des bains à vapeur.

https://www.russievirtuelle.com/guidestraditions/maslenitsa.htm

Maslenitsa - or Shrovetide, is a folk feast that lasts for a week in February or March. People celebrate the end of winter and at the same time eat a ton of pancakes as the following Monday after Maslenitsa ends, Great Lent starts. During that time, practicing Orthodox Russians will give up many earthly pleasures for more than 40 days, which includes taking up a vegan diet, giving up smoking, various other habits, and especially negative thoughts..

Since ancient times, the Russian people have observed the ritual consisting of a week long extravaganza of pancakes  and drinking (ahem, gluttony!), as well as traditional folk games. Russian artists of the late 19th - early 20th century, who turned their attention to the ordinary people and peasants, had a special love for this favorite folk holiday, which is reflected in their works.

Vasily Surikov - The Capture of Snow Town, 1891

The great Russian artist Vasily Surikov’s ‘Capture of Snow Town’ depicts a Maslenitsa game that was popular among Siberian cossacks. The painting shows the culmination - when a member of one team finally breaks the snow wall. Surikov saw such games in villages near Krasnoyarsk, his native city (where he had also observed lots of ritualistic scenarios in the lives of the Old Believers. Those observations laid the groundwork for his famous later canvas, ‘Boyarina Morozova’).

Russian Museum

Konstantin Makovsky - Maslenitsa on Admiralteyskaya Square in St Petersburg, 1869

Urban citizens didn’t lag behind their countryside counterparts when going all-out during Maslenitsa. Temporary theater stages were constructed on central squares, big markets offered bread and circuses: boatloads of pancakes with a variety of toppings - from honey and jam to caviar, as well as performances, stunters, and even bears drinking vodka...

Russian Museum

Pyotr Gruzinsky - Maslenitsa, 1889

Holding troika races was one of the most favorite ways to have fun. People prepared horses in advance and suited up in their best clothes and bright colors.

Russian Museum

Alexei Tretyakov - In the Village,1873

his painting shows one of the most important rituals of Maslenitsa week - matchmaking. Young people would go out together actively, forging a relationship, and plan a wedding for spring when Lent is over.

Domaine public

Fedot Sychkov - Festive Ride, 1910

Born in a village, Sychkov was depicting the lives of peasants throughout his career, and especially their holiday fun: making snowmen, swinging, dancing, and of course sled-riding!

Domaine public

Boris Kustodiev - Maslenitsa, 1916 

This artist painted several canvases devoted to Maslenitsa and winter festivities. Here is one of the most iconic ones, bursting with the kind of fun and joy that’s sure to infect its viewers, as we all reminisce of days gone by, when villagers or townsfolk everywhere used to gather en masse for one huge celebration - as some still do today!

Isaak Brodsky Museum Saint Petersburg

Konstantin Korovin - Maslenitsa Festivities, 1930s

The best way to experience the spirit of Maslenitsa is definitely to visit Russia yourself, especially the small ancient towns like Suzdal (230 km from Moscow). Most traditions are still observed, and people are having fun and eating lots of pancakes throughout. But you could also watch Nikita Mikhalkov’s movie, The Barber of Siberia, which has a very authentic scene depicting Maslenitsa celebrations in old  Moscow. 

Domaine public

Apollinary Vasnetsov - Burning the Maslenitsa Doll, 1920

One of the most spectacular parts of the feast is burning the Maslenitsa doll. This straw creature symbolizes winter, and burning it down is meant to drive the cold and frost away. 

Domaine public

Semyon Kozhin - Maslenitsa. Farewell to Winter, 2001

Usually a Maslenitsa doll is burnt on Saturday, marking the final stage of the celebrations. And that’s how contemporary artists reflect the ancient feast. 

Artist collection, Moscow

Konstantin Kryzanovsky - Sunday of Forgiveness in a Peasant Family, 19th century

After all the pancakes have been eaten and Maslenitsa is burnt, it’s time to ask for forgiveness - ask anyone for anything. And the one you’re asking should traditionally answer with the phrase “God will forgive you”. This way people purify their conscience Lent and practice obedience and humble living, with thoughts of saving one’s soul in preparation for eternal life.

Domaine public