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In 2020, the farewell to the winter will traditionally be arranged at Shrovetide. In this Christian holiday, many pagan customs and rituals have been preserved. A busy program in most cities is carried out on weekends, although entertainment events are often organized throughout all 7 days.
The origin of the holiday
Pancake week is a special holiday before Lent, which lasts a week (Monday to Sunday). Its main tradition is the preparation and eating of pancakes with different fillings. In the week before the start of the strictest and longest fasting, people not only eat plenty of goodies, but also organize festivities.
This tradition leaves in ancient times. It is believed that even during paganism, the Eastern Slavs held a feast for several days, during which they sang, played round dances, played games and performed various rites to say goodbye to winter and encourage the arrival of spring. Usually they walked before the vernal equinox. Some historians claim that they celebrated the New Year earlier, which came with the awakening of the earth after hibernation.
After the adoption of Christianity in Russia, pagan rites were difficult to eradicate. For this reason, religious and pagan traditions are intertwined in many holidays. A striking example is Shrovetide. People throughout the week prepare for strict fasting, and also conduct pagan rites (for example, burn a scarecrow) in order to drive away the winter, protect themselves and their families from troubles, and bring happiness and prosperity to the house.
Since the day of the equinox usually falls on Lent, they began to see off winter before it began, although the main essence of the holiday did not change.
Celebration date
And although the national holiday is quite popular, few people know for sure what date the winter will be in 2020. This is due to the fact that the date changes annually, as it is tied to Lent and Easter.
Important! In 2020, Seeing off winter will take place from February 24 to March 1.
You can calculate the date of the celebration yourself, if you know when Easter will be. Bright holiday is preceded by Lent, which lasts 7 weeks, and before fasting, they say goodbye to the cold.
Traditions and customs
Since the seeing off of winter and Shrovetide coincide, the traditions of both holidays are intertwined in the celebrations. Throughout the week, housewives must bake pancakes with different fillings:
- cottage cheese;
- meat;
- jam;
- the liver;
- chocolate
- Caramel
- berries, etc.
In many cities, fairs are organized where pancakes with any fillings can be tasted, as well as competitions in the preparation of this traditional dish. For the festive table, the housewives prepare cakes, snacks and other treats.
Seeing off the Russian winter in 2020 will be celebrated in small villages and large cities. Traditionally, the following events will be held:
- craft contests, pancake eating competitions;
- sports and folk games;
- burning scarecrow or moraine;
- concerts with local stars, etc.
Today, a long tradition has been preserved to organize noisy festivities. It is believed that this is the only way to drive away the cold winter. Previously, it was strictly forbidden to sit at home on Shrovetide. Be sure to have fun with other people on the street. It was impossible and angry at someone to hold a grudge, because it was so possible to bring misfortune and trouble into the house.
How to celebrate in different cities of Russia
In 2020, the Moscow Shrovetide festival will traditionally take place at the Seeing Off Winter in Moscow. Events will be held at VDNH, in Gorky Park, on Tversky Boulevard, Manezhnaya Square, Revolution Square and other venues throughout the city.
The holiday program includes:
- theatrical Pancake week performances;
- traditional fun and games;
- Sun riding around the city;
- burning straw effigies, etc.
Pancake week in St. Petersburg will be no less intense. Accompany the winter will be mass festivities, which will be held in city parks and houses of culture. The following activities are planned:
- fire show;
- performance of folk groups;
- craftsmen fairs;
- entertainments on ancient attractions, etc.
Brightly held holiday in Yaroslavl, Veliky and Nizhny Novgorod, Suzdal and other Russian cities. Having visited it, you can get to know Russian old customs more closely. Each city has its own traditions. For example, in Nizhny Novgorod annually organize a fair, which presents the products of beekeepers, farms and craftsmen. In Suzdal goose fights and other long-standing amusements are held, and in Yaroslavl the audience is always entertained by scorchos and circuses.
Sometimes people look for information about how many Seeing Winter will be in Syktyvkar or other northern cities in 2020. And although the cold in the North lasts longer, the date coincides with the celebration in the southern and central regions.
See video about the history of Shrovetide and Seeing off winter:
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