I just got back from this fun annual popular holiday. It was a wonderful day, my friends. I would like to share with you the atmosphere and positive things that have filled our present day.
It is a folk festival with mass celebrations, games, fun, jokes, songs and dances. It is a tradition that has its roots in the distant past. It is a pagan holiday that embodies the worship of the sun God (Yarilo). This event is celebrated on the day of the spring solstice or equinox, when the day becomes longer than night. Since ancient times it was believed that these days the earth comes the warm weather, retreating extreme cold, the sun begins to bake and comes the melting of snow.
Of course before the onset of real spring warmth it will take another couple of months, but the ceremony and tradition are so much stuck in the Slavic people, which, even with the advent of Christianity, the Russian people showed sharpness and slightly altered some inconsistencies with the origins of this rite.
Many traditions are being revived in Russia, and this is no exception. In our days in different cities and villages all week bake pancakes, visit each other's homes. The main sense of all Shrovetide ceremonies consists in helping the nature to Wake up after a winter sleep, to fill the earth with new forces, to say goodbye as soon as possible with all snows and frosts so bothered.
We arrived today at the State Museum reserve " Pavlovsk ". It is here that the landscape Park hosts all the best carnivals, shows and festivals, which very clearly reflect the customs and traditions of our people.
The territory of this Park is so huge that it is simply impossible to walk through everything here. But today is a special day for visitors and guests of the national festival in honor of the Russian carnival was a large number of carriages, sledges , carts pulled by horses.
The famous "Russian Troika". It's the same symbol as the matryoshka doll as the samovar.
Of course in such winter day this samovar with hot tea attracted a lot of people. Not even just to drink a Cup of hot tea, but also to take a photo for memory.
Ah of course same-Russians pancakes! They are the main character of the holiday.
Several teams of cooks baked pancakes. After all, everyone today should eat at least one such pancake.
Light frost and a little snow only gave a reason to try various treats on this holiday.
A lot of people came to this festival with their families, children and friends. The program of festive events is very diverse and is designed for children and adults.
Such mass celebrations are held with horseback riding, sports competitions, winter fun, fun games and competitions.
Every holiday in Russian style can not do without a fair. Everywhere there are shopping pavilions , where everyone can buy all sorts of Goodies, Souvenirs and folk crafts.
Today, craftsmen and craftsmen showed their work. Here and wicker baskets, and pottery, and many more beautiful, very sincere,our native, truly Russian. Everyone can buy a gift here for themselves or their loved ones.
What kind of folk festivals without music and dance?
Today, creative musical groups replaced each other on this stage. Their incendiary songs and dances raised our spirits and created an atmosphere of national unity.
It is the effigy of Maslenitsa. It's made of straw. At the end of the festival it is customary to burn it. It is a tradition. This rite of passage suggests that we say goodbye to past problems, sorrows and hardships. So we banish the cold winter and meet the spring. Our ancestors believed that so ashes will be scattered on fields and there will be a rich harvest. The size of the fire determines what will be the upcoming spring.
These little Souvenirs are a symbol of carnival. We buy them here at the fair in order to mentally invest in them our sorrows and difficulties. At the end of the festival we will throw them in the fire to the big stuffed carnival. So we get rid of the misfortune this year.
"Maslenitsa" is a huge holiday and it is known in other countries. But with such scope as in Russia it is not celebrated anywhere. We met here today tourists and visitors from different countries, who despite our winter cold is with great pleasure that joined the fun carnival.
Today I am happy that I can share this national holiday here on Steemit. I hope You are interested to learn about the traditions and rituals in our country. This folk festival is a good illustrative example of how we honor customs and preserve cultural heritage.
Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia. The state Museum reserve "Pavlovsk "
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 59.910976 широта 30.344238 длинные "русская Масленица". Государственный музей-заповедник "Павловск" d3scr)
All photos and video materials are my property.Camera SONY DSC-W350
Thank you for Your attention and Your visit. I appreciate Your feedback and comments.
