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Russia celebrates Masleniza!

The russian answer to the carnival in Rio!

From the 23 of February until 1 March the Russians celebrates their biggest event of the year - Masleniza! So what is Masleniza? You can find the answer in the novels of Lev Tolstoy or in the film 'The Barber of Siberia' directed by the the famous Russian director Nikita Micholkov. If you think that the Russians only drink vodka, eat pancakes and stroll around Moscow without destination during this 'butter' week, you are mistaken. Masleniza is the Russian version of the Carnival with an ancient history. The Masleniza was the feast of spring, a way to say good bye to the winter and the darkness. What are you waiting for, pack your bag, book your hostel in Moscow and buy your flight ticket - the journey can start!

The history of Masleniza

Masleniza means Pancakes, and is symbol representing the sun. During the Masleniza week you will find the Russians in there kitchens preparing the special pancakes called Blintz or as the Russians calls them “blinis'. Masleniza have consists of many special traditions, on the first day (Monday) of the 'Butter Week' it's a tradition to help the poor people. The first pancake has to bee handed out as a sign of the will to battle the poverty. The next day is day of the single men, they are the heroes of the Masleniza and of course in search for their future brides. Very often it ends up with a street fights when single men make moves on already taken girls. On Wednesday it is tradition to visit your mother in law and she should of course welcome his son in law with home made pancakes. On Thursday the tradition says that the women have to clean their houses since it's 'clean Thursday'.

On Friday, the mother visits their sons in law and of course, brings them their home made pancakes. Saturday, Masleniza is celebrated in the streets with dancing, pancakes (of course) and vodka. Sunday is called 'Poshchjonnoe Voskresenje' - Sunday of Forgiveness: the family members and even strangers forgive each other for bad deeds achieved in the past. Sunday is also the last day during which the Russians can drink vodka before Easter – after the Masleniza is celebrated the lent starts which constrains the Christians from drinking and eating in abundance.

The program

For one week Moscow turns into on of the biggest Carnival metropolis. On Saturday a thousand of tourists participate in the big Masleniza Parade that starts from Red Place and proceeds towards the city center. The program is secret and the Russians starts preparing the festival one year and in advance and it always turn out into something fabulous. Enjoy some of the fantastic events that accompany the Masleniza: concerts , bazaars, live music in the streets and games and fun for the kids. The chefs from Moscows restaurants also prepares their own special surprise. Last year they baked the giant pancake, which symbolized the planet earth. The different countries were marked out in diffrent colors and it was the biggest pancake ever made. You can also try to make your own blinis, it is quite simple. You need 2 eggs, 250 ml milk, 25 g butter, some sugar and salt. Melt butter and mix it with eggs and half the amount of milk. Stir it up and add the remaining milk - the dough is ready. After that it's just to fry it up in the pan as an ordinary pancake. In Russia blinis are eaten with for example cream, caviar, ricotta and mushrooms but also with sweet jam, sugar or honey!

Blinis and hostels in Moscow

But if you want to taste the original Russians Blinis - come to Moscow. In Moscow Home Hostel you will stay for only 11 € per night, Comrade Hostel offers accommodation from 15 € in dorm, and double room in Hostel YellowBlueBus during Masleniza costs only 80 €. If you want to try really good hand made blinis you drop by Moskovskij ikonij dom, Zarskaja Ochota on Rublevo-Uspenskoe, Babuschkini blintschiki on Leninsky prospekt 4A or Masleniza Leninsky prospekt 158th.

Hostelsclub.com wishes you a nice trip and a happy Masleniza!

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