Each year our Russian and East European Program celebrates Maslenitsa, a weeklong holiday festival celebrated in Eastern Orthodox communities around the world.  Maslenitsa exhibits similarities to a number of Western holidays (Mardi Gras, Shrovetide).  And yet it has its own roots in two distinct traditions: Orthodox Christianity, and a much older, pagan tradition, celebrated as early as the 2nd century AD, marking the end of winter and beginning of spring.  During our festivities we learn all about the customs and symbolism of Maslenitsa, and how they are linked to something delicious: bliny, or Russian pancakes.  We eat bliny, sing songs, make dolls, and do other fun activities around this holiday theme!

For information about Maslenitsa see http://www.sras.org/maslenitsa_blin
And the Russian wikipedia page, which has details about the week-long traditional celebrations: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Масленица

 

Spring 2022 Celebration of Maslenitsa

Friday, March 4, 2022
1pm - 2:30pm

Voorhees Mall, near the William the Silent statue 
(in case of inclement weather, we will hold our celebration in AB 4052)

During this frightening and uncertain time, we hope that this year’s Maslenitsa will give us a chance to come together as a Rutgers community and to be among friends as we look toward brighter days.  Maslenitsa is a holiday celebrated across Slavic cultures, and this year we will place a special accent on Ukrainian traditions, in part by adding some delicious varenniki to our table.  We warmly encourage members of the Ukrainian, Polish, Russian-Jewish, and Russian Clubs, students of the Russian and East European Program, and others, to come join us, and to bring along friends.    

 


Photos from our previous Maslenitsa Celebrations

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