Maslenitsa - the ancient Slavic festival with pagan roots and associated primarily with the wires of winter. In the old days the whole week people circle dances and lit bonfires to drive away the fierce February frosts. After the baptism of Rus Carnival became a preparatory week before Lent. At this time, it is already necessary to give up eating meat, but you can still eat dairy products. Day celebration of Carnival is directly related to Easter, so the date changes each year.
This year, oil Week begins February 12 and ends on February 18th. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the so-called narrow Shrove Tuesday, and on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - wide. This means that in the first half of the week, you can work and prepare for the celebration, and the second - you need to forget about all business matters, and just have fun. Every day of Carnival has its own traditions and characteristics that our ancestors strictly observed.
Monday, February 12- the first day of Carnival, or "meeting". On this day people pour ice slides and ride with them on a sled. Linked to this is a sign: the further roll downhill sleds, the louder the sounds of laughter, the better it will be this year's harvest.
Tuesday, February 13 - the second day of Carnival, or "flirting." Need to come together, make fun games and entertain all the pancakes.
Wednesday, February 14 - the third day of Carnival, or "gourmet". This evening should be prepared a rich dinner and set the table, the first place in which, of course, take pancakes.
Thursday, February 15- the fourth day of Carnival, or "Razguliay". To this day the holiday is gaining full power. Now you need to go out and have fun the whole day from morning till evening.
Friday, February 16 - the fifth day of Carnival, or "Teschin evening." It is a day of family traditions, Smotrin and facilitate future weddings. Night-in-law personally invite their tesch pancakes.
Saturday, February 17 - the sixth day of Carnival, or "Zolovkina gatherings." On this day, everyone goes to pancakes to a young daughter.
Sunday, February 18 - the seventh day of Carnival, or "Forgiveness Sunday". Very bright day before the commencement of Lent, when the acceptance of all ask for forgiveness and to forgive from the heart near to you for being evil.
Since February 19, All festivities terminated since start of Lent, which lasts until April 8 - Easter light.
And be sure to ask, it is important to do on Forgiveness Sunday.
