Maslenitsa is one of the brightest and most cheerful holidays, symbolizing the farewell to winter and the meeting of spring. In 2025, it will last from February 24 to March 2. It is a week of hearty feasts, folk festivities, and ancient traditions.
Maslenitsa 2025 is a time when Ukrainians say goodbye to winter and welcome spring. From February 24 to March 2, one of the most colorful holidays will be celebrated according to the new Julian calendar. In Ukraine, each region celebrates Maslenitsa in its own way, with unique rituals and names of the days, but the only thing that unites all traditions is a loud farewell to winter and preparation for Lent.
This holiday carries a rich set of traditions and customs, which are mixed with folk signs and local flavor. In ancient times, this week was called Cheese Week, because during it you could enjoy dairy products - cheese, butter, eggs, but meat remained under the ban. Today, Maslenitsa is a time of fun, delicacies and folk traditions.
One of the most important traditions is the creation of a Maslenitsa effigy, a large straw doll dressed in women's clothing. It is a symbol of winter and is burned at the end of the week to see off the cold season and welcome spring.
Here is how Maslenitsa is celebrated by day:
Monday is the day of guests. Maslenitsa begins with receiving guests. This is a time for treating yourself to pancakes with various fillings. An important element is the creation of a straw effigy.
Tuesday is courtship day. Young people meet for fun games and entertainment, such as sledding down the hill, and pancakes continue to be the main dish.
Wednesday is a day of feasting. This is a time for family dinners, when the housewives invite their sons-in-law and guests to pancakes. The son-in-law should praise his mother-in-law, which will ensure peace and harmony in the family.
Thursday is a day of partying. You should forget about work and enjoy songs, dances, games, and other entertainment.
Friday is Mother-in-law's Day. Now the son-in-law invites his mother-in-law for pancakes. It is believed that this will dispel any misunderstandings and establish harmony in the family.
Saturday is the day of farewell to winter. Everyone goes on a visit to spend the winter together and welcome spring. The young wife invites her husband's sister and other relatives to the pancakes.
Sunday – Forgiveness Sunday. This is the last day of Shrovetide, when it is a time of forgiveness. People forget grievances, forgive each other, and in the evening the holiday ends with the burning of the Shrovetide effigy, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
Shrove Tuesday is not only a time for festive feasts, but also for many delicious traditions. One of the most important is baking pancakes.
They were considered a symbol of the sun and were baked every day during Maslenitsa. Each housewife had her own signature recipe, and depending on the ingredients, the pancakes could be very different.
