It's Maslenitsa Week!

Dear friends

I wish you a happy Maslenitsa week! Maslenitsa is the oldest remaining Slavic holiday, but also bright, funny and most entertaining. The rituals of Maslenitsa are rather unusual and interesting because they combine both - the end of the winter holiday rituals, and the opening of new spring festivals and ceremonies, to support a rich harvest.

Maslenitsa is the last week before the onset of the Great Lent. During the week of Maslenitsa, Orthodox Christians do not eat meat, and it is the last week during which eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products are allowed – that’s where its names of "Cheese-fare week" or "Pancake week" come from.

The most characteristic food of Maslenitsa is the thin bliny, pancakes or crepes, made from the rich foods still allowed by the Orthodox tradition that week: butter, eggs and milk.

And the topping of the pancakes can be very much anything to your liking – black and Salmon Caviar are the exquisite ones, as well as all kind of sweet ones like honey, jam or condensed milk.

Once you make your pancakes this week, you can tag us in on Instagram, and there will be a prize for the best Maslenitsa pancakes picture!

Enjoy the week! All the best, Anna