Maslenitsa week, as well as the holiday itself, is just around the corner. In 2025, the public festivities will begin on February 24.
The week ends with Forgiveness Sunday – March 2, and the strictest of all Lent begins.
In folk tradition, each day of Maslenitsa week is associated with certain events, beliefs and prohibitions.
Narrow Maslenitsa
Few people remember that this is what the first three days of Cheese Week are called.
During the period from Monday to Wednesday, you need to prepare for festive events.
Usually in the old days they prepared firewood, cleaned houses, yards, outbuildings, and prepared treats.
They built slides and snow forts, swings, and did other preparations for the holiday.
Wide Maslenitsa
The main festivities began on Thursday, which was actually considered the beginning of Maslenitsa.
First day traditions
The first day was called the “meeting” and on the morning of this day it was customary to send the wives off to visit their parents.
In the evening, the husband's relatives visited their relatives in full force.
The host party had to make every effort to avoid, God forbid, offending the matchmakers.
It was customary to give the first pancake that was taken off the frying pan today to the poor, and in return they had to remember the souls of their deceased relatives in their prayers.
What not to do
1. From this day on, no meat was eaten. You had to eat meat the entire preceding week - the meat-fare week.
2. They were wary of cutting pancakes with a knife or using sharp objects in general. This could bring trouble.
3. Of course, you can’t be sad, quarrel, get angry, or abuse alcohol.
4. You can't lend money to someone or get into debt yourself. Beware of big expenses today.
5. You cannot refuse to help the poor and needy, or skimp on treats.
It was believed that breaking these traditions could lead to troubles in the family, problems with money and health.
