Why on Shrovetide they burn a scarecrow and bake pancakes: folk beliefs and customs. The truth about Maslenitsa. What pancakes were actually baked in Russia Why pancakes are made for Shrovetide

Probably each of us is looking forward to the wonderful national holiday called Maslenitsa. Every self-respecting housewife strives to bake as many pancakes as possible, stuff with cheese, honey, cottage cheese, sour cream, cabbage, mushrooms, etc. Here the flight of imagination is unlimited. In addition, women scurry around the stove to cook a lot of amazing dishes and decorate the table with stewed vegetables, fish, sweets, pies, pies, baked pike, caviar, and pickles. Moreover, with the onset of the last days of winter, the majority of people feel better, have a desire to have fun, get out of the "shackles" of the cold and take walks, chat with friends face to face.

Modern people continue to observe the rituals and traditions of Maslenitsa with great pleasure, do incredible things - climb a wooden pole, jump over a fire, and arrange loud festivities. Why is this happening, what are the joyful days and fuss in the kitchen dedicated to? Let's find out about everything in order, and in addition, we will stock up on a couple of other excellent pancake recipes that have survived from our ancestors.

Shrovetide history

Great artists and writers dedicated their creations to this holiday, the best directors made films about it. Let us recall, for example, Kustodiev's stunning painting "Maslenitsa". How beautiful she is. I really want to be in the world that the artist has reflected and enjoy the true Russian winter, incredible dishes made according to Russian traditions. But before delving into our fantasies, let's study the history of the many-sided and ours, only the Russian Maslenitsa holiday.

It should be noted right away that the celebrations we are describing have nothing to do with the Orthodox religion. This holiday was given by us by our ancestors who worshiped pagan gods. Perhaps this is one of the few manifestations of paganism that survived with the transition to Orthodoxy. To avoid any disagreements, our Church included the holiday in its list, but called the period of celebrations Cheese Week (Meat Week). This period of time passes just before the beginning of the next Great Lent.

When did Maslenitsa arise

There are several versions of the occurrence of special celebrations. Judging by one of the interpretations, this week it was no longer possible to eat meat dishes, but it was still allowed to eat dairy products. Among the people, the celebrations, which lasted for seven days, were called differently: Kasatochka, Tselovalnitsa, Obedukha, Merry, Perebuha, Honest Maslenitsa, Sugar Mouth, etc.

During the celebrations, incredible traditions were performed - they rode horses, which they tried to decorate with the most expensive and beautiful harness. A sleigh was rushing along the streets, and in front of us was the very "Bird-Three", which the great artists immediately undertook to personify on their canvases. Young people were drinking, singing songs, merry-go-rounds were launched. On the squares, fairs were stunning in terms of the richness of the assortment, where you could buy goods at a bargain price. On the hills still preserved with snow and ice, people descended on large sleighs decorated with beautiful ornaments. "Snow" battles were arranged, fortresses and cities were built from snow and ice.

How was Maslenitsa

In the 17-19 centuries, a crowd of not only adults but also children gathered in the center of the square. These seven days were to be the most generous of the year. The children were given sweets, pies, toys. And in the center of the squares, stages were set up on which performances took place. The main characters were the mummers - Maslenitsa and her companion Voevoda. Of course, the plot for the comedy was the days of Maslenitsa, its treats. She said goodbye and promised to return next year. Also, other performances could take place on the stage, which reflected the works of great creators, stories based on real events.

Despite the past centuries, the Maslenitsa week celebrations did not stop. And the main message remained - the desire to drive out Winter. So that warm days would come faster, they sang songs of praise, turned to god Yarila and asked him to show himself as a solar disk and its rays. The symbol of the festive celebrations was a large straw scarecrow, on which a woman's sundress was worn. On the last day of the festivities, he was either burnt or "buried" by putting a big pancake in his hand.

Why damn it

Many are interested in the question - why exactly a pancake is a symbol of Maslenitsa. After all, they are baked throughout this week by all the housewives, and in incredible quantities. We have already mentioned the fillings, there are also a huge number of them. Fortunately, the Russian land is rich in gifts, and people have always been distinguished by high diligence and had everything they needed for excellent food in their farmstead. But back to pancakes and the history of their rise.

The tradition of baking them has appeared since ancient times, precisely from the era of paganism. Worshiping those gods, people turned to the main of the pantheon - Yarila. And he was nothing more than the Sun, which heats the earth with its rays and thus gives life to all living things. With his bright arrival, winter gave way to spring and arable land started, bread was sown, people took off their heavy sheepskin coats and enjoyed the warm air. And what is so similar in shape to our warm sun? And what can you taste while enjoying its taste? Of course damn it. A thin loaf, in which there is nothing but flour, eggs and milk, was prepared both in rich houses and in poor huts. Thus, the hostesses tried to embody the image of Yaril with their own hands and treated their children, friends, relatives with their creation. In addition to wheat, buckwheat, corn, oat groats were used for the production.

Representatives of the poor class, not having reserves of meat and milk, and derived products, put semolina, pumpkin, pea porridge, etc. as filling.

Shrovetide customs

For a long time, there were customs that were obligatory performed in every home. For example, the first made loaf had to be given to a poor person so that he remembered the deceased from this house. If there was no beggar nearby begging for alms, they threw the product through the window. And while Shrovetide week lasted, they ate soft bread throughout the day and week, changing fillings, dressings. Each new day of the solemn week had a certain meaning, and rituals were performed specifically for this day.

Before the onset of Maslenitsa on Sunday, it was necessary to go on a visit to relatives, dear friends and close neighbors. You also had to invite guests to your place and set a rich table. This was the last “free” day before the strictest fasting when natural meat was consumed. It was also called “Meat Sunday”. There was even a funny belief - the father-in-law goes to the son-in-law to finish the meat.

Monday - Meeting

The day of the celebration is called "Meeting". In the daytime, all people gathered for festivities. Large snow slides, fortresses, cities of ice and snow were erected. People rode on merry-go-rounds, huge tables were laid on the market squares, samovars were boiled, herbal teas were poured, honey, cream, etc. The kids together made a straw doll and put on a sundress and kokoshnik. From the very morning, the kids walked around the courtyards and sang songs, and they, in turn, were treated to pancakes and sweets. This lasted until the middle of the day, then everyone ran to the snowy hills and rode on homemade sleds. Adults were an exception; they had the right to such pleasures only from the middle of the Maslenitsa week.

Tuesday - Flirting

This day was meant for the spouses. It was on Tuesday that weddings were held in the villages, and after a rich feast, all the newlyweds and those who had just joined, went downhill skiing. Naturally, they continued to bake bread and enjoy themselves with the people. Also, on the day of the flirtation, young people looked closely at the opposite half and picked up a pair for themselves.

Wednesday - Gourmet

This day can truly be considered the moment of the “Great” truce, the mother-in-law specially “invited” her son-in-law to the pancake meal. No wonder there is a saying "To the mother-in-law for pancakes." Young people should put on the outfits that they wore on their own wedding day, and unmarried girls rolled down the hills. And over the single guys who could not find a mate last year, everyone made fun and teased. They came up with all sorts of punishments, and the guys had to pay off.

Thursday - Walk

It was also called Fracture, Rampant, Quarterly, Wide. This is a central event. All honest people gathered in the squares, staged performances, fistfights, all swings and merry-go-rounds were spinning, snow fortresses and cities were under siege. Remember Surikov's masterpiece of art "Taking the Snow Mountain". From clothes they put on whatever came to mind. And a stuffed animal made of straw - Shrovetide was raised to the highest hill.

Friday - Mother-in-law Vecherka

On this day, the opposite story takes place. It is the turn of the son-in-law to treat his beloved mother-in-law with pancakes. He invites a relative into the house and sets a rich table at the same time. But the products and accessories for making pancakes were given by the mother-in-law: a frying pan, a tub, flour - a whole bag, butter. Thus, due respect was given to relatives on the part of the wife. And the festivities continue, people triumph in the markets, drink, tea and ride on carousels.

Saturday - Seeing off (Sister-wife's gatherings)

This is one of the most beautiful traditions - the young daughter-in-law invited relatives to her new home and treated them not only to pancakes, but also to other dishes. And people raised the Scarecrow of straw - Maslenitsa in their hands and carried it through the village streets and “buried it: they collected a lot of logs, set the Scarecrow up and set it on fire. Round dances were arranged around a large fire, songs were sung. Despite the humor of the show, many people cried - after all, another year was leaving, the holidays were over, and it was necessary to start taking care of it.

Sunday - Forgiven

On the eve of fasting, everyone wanted to be cleansed from sins. People asked each other for forgiveness and said the following words: "Forgive me, please, if I am guilty of something before you." The answer was the usual for all of us "God will forgive". The ritual was not of a formal meaning, indeed, people forgave each other for insults, insults, forgot about the troubles and shook hands. Also on this day it was necessary to visit the cemetery and "treat" the dead with pancakes, leaving them on the graves.

Fortune telling was very popular these days. And, as a rule, the fair half is more interested in this occupation. So, the girls arranged the following rituals:

1. Taking the first pancake in her hands, the girl went to the street and treated the first guy who met on her way. His name meant that this would be the name of her betrothed.
2. Before going to bed, the girl had to hang out a towel outside the window and utter the words in a whisper: "The betrothed come, wipe yourself with a towel!" The next morning she checked - if the towel turned out to be wet - then this year was to get married. Dry - on the contrary, you should not expect a betrothed.
3. For the third rite, you need to collect branches of coniferous trees (pine, cedar, Christmas tree, fir). It is better to collect in the woods and spread out on the floor at home. Invite a friend, tie handkerchiefs over each other's eyes and choose branches at random:

• if a girl picks up a thick branch with thick foliage (needles), she will marry a strong and respectable man.
• a flat and smooth surface portends an attractive spouse.
• if there is a thick and strong bark on the branch, the husband will be a wealthy person.
• if all the bark has peeled off, then a simple guy will become a spouse, perhaps a small employee, a locksmith, a carpenter.

Is it worth believing fortune-telling - decide for yourself. But it is unlikely that a towel or a spruce branch can predict your future. In any case, the rituals were invented by people and they are needed only as entertainment. And you need to believe only in the positive, no prediction should leave a residue of uncertainty in the soul.

On Forgiveness Sunday one could drink alcohol for the last time before Great Lent.

The best pancake recipes

So, before we start baking pancakes, let's find out another story about Maslenitsa. The legend originates from the northern regions of Russia, where winters have always been rich in snow and blizzards. So, according to this story, Her Majesty Maslenitsa appeared in the North, where Santa Claus ruled. One peasant was looking for needles and saw a little girl behind the trees, Shrovetide and asked to return warm days and joy for people. And she agreed and appeared before people not as a little girl, but as a strong, beautiful and ruddy beauty. With her contagious laughter, she carried the people into festivities, arranged round dances and sang songs.

To make it pleasant for you to spend these days before Lent, we offer several best recipes pancakes. Believe me, if you follow the recipe, then not a single pancake will be lumpy.

Milk

This is the most popular type of pancakes that will not take a lot of time from the hostess. For cooking we need:

• half a liter of milk;
• 2 testicles;
• 200 grams of flour;
• 2 table. tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• 1 table. a spoonful of granulated sugar;
• a pinch of salt.

The ingredients must be removed from the refrigerator in advance so that they reach room temperature. Beat eggs in a bowl, add sugar, salt, pour in milk and mix thoroughly.

Mix flour with a small portion of milk until sour cream, mix until the lumps disappear.

Pour into the main composition and beat for a short time. Pour in vegetable oil, mix and set aside for half an hour at room temperature.

On kefir

The option is economical for zealous housewives. You can also use sour milk. For cooking, we need:

• half a liter of sour milk or kefir;
• 2 testicles;
• 200 grams of flour (wheat);
• drinking soda (half a teaspoon), the same amount of salt and sugar;
• 4 tablespoons (tablespoons) of vegetable oil.

Beat eggs, pour in kefir and mix thoroughly. The mixture must be heated to 60 degrees so that after adding the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Gently pour the sifted flour into the composition and mix so that there are no lumps. Dissolve baking soda in a tablespoon of boiling water and pour into a bowl of dough, then pour in oil, mix and set aside for one hour.

On the water

This is perhaps the most popular pancake recipe. It does not contain milk, which is not suitable for everyone in terms of physical indicators, kefir, which can cause bloating. There are fewer calories in such a test, which means there is a chance to keep your figure during the Maslenitsa period. So, we need:

• half a liter of water;
• 320 grams of flour (wheat);
• 2 testicles;
• 2 table. tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• a tablespoon of granulated sugar;
• a pinch of salt.

Beat eggs, salt and sugar in a bowl, pour in water (warm) and gradually add the sifted flour. Beat until smooth.

We find out the nature of the fillings

Of course, eating pancakes is also a pleasure. But how much more nutritious and satisfying are pancakes with mushroom, curd, cabbage, sour cream filling. There is a popular belief that the filling should correspond to the male character. Let's find out how true this is.

1. Just butter pancakes. Such a product is preferred by reserved and calm individuals. They strive to be and communicate only with decent people. Men with this taste are usually good fathers and loving husbandsguarding the family's reputation and well-being.
2. With caviar, they prefer creative, smart natures. They are pragmatic, caring, the affairs of the family and its well-being come first. They are not capable of romantic actions, if they decide to do something pleasant, they will rather take practical steps.
3. Delicate and sensitive types feast on sour cream. Such men are very vulnerable, touchy. Even an inadvertently thrown word can lead to hysteria and mood spoilage. So be careful and decide whether to connect your fate with him.
4. Emotional and romantic men love honey. This type will be able to create a holiday even from a banal meeting and will delight his soul mate with pleasant surprises with or without. These men are monogamous and can give the last penny for a bouquet, if only the beloved is happy.
5. Face pancakes with extreme focus are preferred with salmon. These are travelers, parachute jumpers, etc. So life with such a friend is hectic, every now and then he will present another surprise in the form of hiking to the highest mountain, or flying on a hang glider.
6. The cottage cheese filling is loved by men who will remain children until the end of their days. They love everything sweet, and the spouse will be a mother. Get ready - making decisions, paying bills, clarifying the relationship will fall on your fragile shoulders.

How to bake pancakes properly

And now let's move on to the process that some housewives are concerned about. It is because of the moment of baking that women are ready to refuse to cook such a delicious and light dish like pancakes. And everything is just one thing - they stick to the pan, become lumpy. To get around all this, we suggest acting according to a proven plan.

1. The pan needs to be put on fire and heated well.
2. Lubricate with vegetable oil (a thin layer, 1-2 drops and a brush are enough).
3. Reduce the intensity of the fire by half.
4. Mix the settled dough, as a sediment always forms at the bottom.
5. Take a small portion with a ladle (it is better to use a special for pancakes).
6. Pour the dough into the pan, which must be kept in an inclined position, and twist so that it completely covers the surface.
7. Bake for a maximum of 2-3 minutes, turn over with a special spatula. After a couple of minutes, transfer to the prepared dish.
8. Grease the pancake with butter or cover with a large lid to keep the edges soft and not break.

The Maslenitsa holiday, beautiful in its course, is not only festivities and celebrations. In this way, people wanted to get closer to the secrets of the universe, to slightly open the curtains of death. According to another version, the shape of the pancake reflects not the Sun, but life, that is, existence without beginning and end. In these days, people understood that the earth should increase its wealth and in their songs they sang the melting of snow, which nourishes the soil with fertility.

Another sacred basis of the holiday is the commemoration of the dead. Three components were included in the funeral - crying for the dead, offering a sacrifice and a rich feast. It was believed that the dead came to each of the celebrations of people and invisibly took part in them.

Whatever it was - but Maslenitsa is a favorite and unlike anything in the world holiday of the Slavs. Let it be remnants of a pagan time or Cheese Week according to the Orthodox religion. The main thing is that it is tasty, fun and very useful, of course, if you know when to stop!

Even before the Slavs adopted Christianity, there was a custom to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of the long-awaited spring. The date of this holiday has always been consistent with the day of the vernal equinox. With the arrival of the church, this spring holiday has not been canceled, but has become even more popular.

Today Shrovetide in the church lexicon is called Cheese Week. The traditions of this holiday are diverse, and the walk itself lasts for a week. After the end of Maslenitsa, the seven-week Great Lent begins.

Why pancakes are a symbol of the holiday

Everyone, of course, knows that pancakes are one of the main symbols of this holiday. Take the oven and eat unlimited pancakes throughout the week. This is the only one religious holidaythat encourages gluttony. During Maslenitsa week, gluttony is not considered a sin. Many people still do not know the answer to the question of why pancakes are baked on Maslenitsa.

Just look at appearanceto understand why there is a tradition of baking pancakes for Shrovetide. The pancake is round and yellow from which it resembles the sun. Plus, it's rosy and hot. On the holiday of the vernal equinox, pancakes were always baked in honor of the Sun, which gives people warmth, light and life.

Festive pancakes and tortillas are also the ancient incarnation of leavened bread. It was the round pancake (or flatbread) that was once the sacrificial bread that was brought as a gift to the pagan gods. The symbol of the Sun served not so much to send off the annoying winter, but to welcome the long-awaited spring. The Orthodox Church considered the traditions of Maslenitsa celebration necessary. Therefore, I just included this holiday in my church calendar... So it happened that this hearty week precedes the onset of Lent.

How does Maslenitsa begin?

It is understandable why pancakes are eaten at Shrovetide, and the holiday always begins with “butter grandfathers” or commemoration of the dead. Our ancestors believed that the souls of deceased ancestors return to earth to help their living relatives. It was traditionally customary to give the first baked pancake to the ancestors.

In some regions, the first baked pancake was not put aside for the souls of the dead, but given to the poor. It was believed that by feeding the poor, a person would remember his ancestors. It is customary to leave pancakes on the graves on the last day of Shrovetide week - Forgiveness Sunday.

The Slavs baked completely different pancakes for the holiday. These were rye and oat products, flour was even made from peas or buckwheat. Cottage cheese and fish, potatoes, favorite dairy and sweet products were put in as. Meat is no longer allowed during Cheese Week; everything else before fasting is still allowed, and in unlimited quantities. Often pancakes were baked from yeast dough. It is believed that traditional Russian pancakes should be made from buckwheat flour. It gives the finished product an original pleasant and slightly sour taste.

We hope that you no longer have any dark spots in the question of why pancakes are baked on Shrovetide. It is also clear where the numerous sayings about this holiday came from, like: "How pancakes flew to the ceiling during the oil week" or "A week is not oily without a pancake."

All that remains is to wish you a fun festive week and let the pancakes turn out great, and the first one will never be lumpy. After all, the more pancakes there are on this bright and generous holiday, the better. The sooner spring will come, warmth will come, and the sooner each person will feel pleasant satiety.

This rather ancient holiday appeared in paganism. It is associated with seeing off frost, cold and sleep of nature - winter and meeting a warm, joyful spring. And also on the week of Maslenitsa, they remembered and grieved about those who no longer exist. Then it was called "Komoeditsa". The bear was considered a symbol of the holiday - after all, he sleeps all winter in his den, and when he wakes up, spring comes. On the week of Maslenitsa, pancakes were baked, and the first pancake, which is known to be lumpy, was given to the bear. They put it at the entrance to the den. Hence the name of the holiday. At the end of the week, it was customary to burn an effigy of Maslenitsa - thereby marking the arrival of spring and the funeral of this winter.

Christianity has its own interpretation of this holiday. Shrovetide week is a week in which you need to gradually get used to and prepare for Great Lent. These days you can eat dairy products and it is already worth giving up fish and meat. In terms of behavior and celebration, this week is dedicated to cleansing the mind and body. You cannot quarrel with family and friends, and if the quarrel took place earlier, you need to ask everyone for forgiveness and be sure to forgive those who ask for forgiveness from you.

Pancake - a symbol of Maslenitsa

And in ancient times and today, in Orthodoxy, the pancake remains the main symbol of the holiday. And it symbolizes the arrival of heat, the sun. Damn, like the sun - round and hot. However, there are traditions here as well. Pancakes are prepared every day of the Maslenitsa week, but they serve different occasions.

For example, in monday, this is a meeting of Maslenitsa. Earlier on this day they made a stuffed animal and put it on the mountain. Today, on this day, it is customary to visit the closest relatives for pancakes.

Shrove Tuesday was called a game - on this day there was real fun, which, formally, was the flirting of guys with girls and vice versa. She was lucky oil week, at the end of which they played a wedding. Today, on this day, they also go to visit each other for pancakes or invite them to their place.

Wednesday gourmet - on Wednesday mothers-in-law receive their sons-in-law and other guests. But the son-in-law was considered the main guest. Nowadays, it is also customary to go to visit the mother-in-law for pancakes on Wednesday.

Thursday - revelry... On this day, festivities are again held. The day got its name thanks to the peak of fun. People understood that there was a great job ahead - sowing and caring for the land, so they tried to have a proper rest and have fun in freedom.

Friday - mother-in-law's evening... Now the sons-in-law invite their mother-in-law to their pancakes.

Saturday - sister-in-law gatherings... On this day, you need to invite all your husband's relatives to visit. Including sisters, brothers and their families.

Sunday - Forgiveness Sunday... On this day, you need to ask for forgiveness from loved ones, from God. It has long been customary to give gifts. Today, rarely does anyone give gifts to relatives on this day, but the custom of visiting and having good conversations over a cup of tea with pancakes has remained to this day. In the old days, on the seventh day of Maslenitsa, an effigy was burned. This rite was a sign of the end of winter. The ashes left after the fire had to be scattered over the fields. For the sake of a rich harvest.

Why exactly a pancake?

Many years ago Maslenitsa was celebrated for two weeks. During the first week celebrations, there are no days on which people should limit themselves to food. On Wednesday, one could and should have gorged on a gourmand, as they say, to the dump. After all, for a long time this opportunity will not be presented anymore. For about one and a half months, until Easter, it will be necessary to fast.

Pancake is a food that passes between hearty varied food, to food for the sake of the soul - lean. Pancakes were kneaded in butter, milk. In the second week of Maslenitsa, the so-called Cheese week, you can eat pancakes with butter or with other various fillings - with honey, jam, and caviar.

Even before the spread of Christianity in Russia, during the times of paganism, the weeks of Maslenitsa were considered memorial weeks. A pancake is the most common memorial dish. However, later, people turned this event into a merry unbridled holiday. The main attention was paid not to the funeral of winter, but to the birth of spring, warmth and the arrival of sunny days. And here pancake has become an important dish. After all, nothing embodies the sun and warmth - like a pancake baked in a pan.

What kind of pancakes should you eat for Shrovetide?

On Shrovetide, they eat any pancakes, pancakes and pancakes. Any sizes and with different fillings. The most exquisite filling for pancakes is red caviar. And the most common are cottage cheese and meat. Pancakes are a versatile dish that is not difficult to prepare. But, despite this, each housewife has a special taste. Wherever the modern world strives, no matter how culinary develops, pancakes will always be the primary symbol of the last weeks of winter in Russia. After all, the traditions of our ancestors, passed down from generation to generation, will always remain with us.

Dmitrieva Sophia and Leonchenkova Anastasia

Research. The girls became winners at the I want to know everything!

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Municipal budgetary educational institution

Secondary school number 2, Sychevka

TOPIC

"PANCAKES - A SYMBOL OF OILS"

project

The work was performed by:

Dmitrieva Sofya Alexandrovna

Leonchenkova Anastasia Andreevna

students of grade 4 "B"

MBOU Secondary School No. 2, Sychevka

Head: Belyaeva Zh. M.

Primary school teacher

2018 year

Passport ………………………………………………………… ..3 page

Introduction ………………………………………………………… ..4 page

Main part …………………………………………………… .5 pages

Practical part ……………………………………………… ..12 page

Conclusion ……………………………………………………… .16 page

References …………………………………………… ... 17 pages

Appendix No. 1 Scenario of the "Wide Maslenitsa" holiday ... 18 pages

Appendix No. 2 Master class "Making a stuffed doll of Maslenitsa" ………………………………………………………… 27str

Appendix # 3 Recipes for the most delicious pancakes. Cooking technique …………………………………………………… ... 30str

PROJECT PASSPORT

INTRODUCTION

What a feast - delicious!

We bake pancakes on this day.

We will anoint them with jam,

How delicious they are!

Maslenitsa! This is the most fun and delicious holiday in Russia. We love this holiday very much, which is not complete without pancakes, since the pancake is its main symbol. We were interested in: why? What do we ourselves know about Maslenitsa? How did this custom of baking pancakes for Shrovetide come about? How were pancakes baked in the old days? Having become interested in these questions, we decided to ask the same questions to our classmates.

Relevance our work is that very much children love the Maslenitsa holiday, but they know so little about its history.

It was based on a hypothesis, if we study the history of the Maslenitsa folk holiday, and the technology of making pancakes in Russia, we ourselves will be able to learn how to bake pancakes, as well as participate in the school at the “Wide Maslenitsa” holiday, based on the traditions of our people.

Purpose: to recreate the traditions of celebrating Maslenitsa in your school.

Tasks:

• get acquainted with the history and traditions of Maslenitsa;
• to study the technology of making pancakes in Russia.

MAIN PART

Shrovetide - history and traditions

Shrovetide is an ancient holiday of seeing off winter. These days they say goodbye to the cold, long nights, winter funmeet the bright spring sun. Shrovetide is a pagan holiday, which was eventually changed to "format" Orthodox Church... In pre-Christian Russia, the celebration was called "Farewell to Winter".

Winter for a person in ancient times was the embodiment of death, it is not difficult to imagine the significance of this event. In addition, Shrovetide marked the end of a large calendar period: when the earth is "closed".

In Shrovetide rituals, the theme sounds distinctlyfertility. The creature expelled from the village, it is assumed, embodied not only darkness and death: it died in order to rise again, to incarnate in new shoots. In other words, the once Maslenitsa rituals contributed, in particular, to the fertility of the earth. Many actions once had a magical meaning and influenced economic well-being: this is an imitation of agricultural work; and riding in the sun (in a circle) around the village; skiing from the mountains (according to legend, the further you ride from the mountain, the longer it takes for flax to grow); and jumping "on hemp" - the higher you jump, the higher the ear.

And yet the main theme for Shrovetide is the "send-off" motive. It was not for nothing that they said: "At least you can lay something on yourself, but hold Shrovetide"

In the first three days of the holiday, there was an active preparation for the celebration:

• they brought firewood for the fire;
• decorated huts;
• built mountains.

The main celebration took place from Thursday to Sunday. They came into the house in order to treat themselves to pancakes and drink hot tea.

In some villages, young people went from house to house with tambourines, horns, balalaikas, singing carols. City dwellers took part in holiday festivities:

• dressed in the best outfits;
• went to theatrical performances;
• visited booths to look at buffoons and fun with a bear.

The main entertainment was the skating of children and young people from ice slides, which they tried to decorate with lanterns and flags. For riding used:

• matting;
• sledges;
• skates;
• skins;
• ice floes;
• wooden troughs.

Another fun event was the capture of the ice fortress. The guys built a snow town with a gate, put guards there, and then went on the attack: burst into the gate and climbed the walls. The besieged defended themselves as best they could: snowballs, brooms and whips were used.

On Maslenitsa boys and young men showed their agility in fistfights. Residents of two villages, landowners and monastic peasants, residents of a large village living in opposite ends could participate in the battles.

Seriously preparing for battle:

• steamed in baths;
• ate hearty;
• turned to the sorcerers with a request to give a special conspiracy to win

As many years ago, and today the culmination of Maslenitsa is the burning of the effigy. This action symbolizes the coming of spring and the end of winter. The burning is preceded by games, round dances, songs and dances, accompanied by refreshments.

As a scarecrow, which is sacrificed, they made a large, funny and at the same time terrible doll, personifying Maslenitsa. They made a doll from rags and straw. Then she was dressed up in women's clothing and left on the main street of the village during Pancake Week. And on Sunday they were solemnly carried outside the village. There, the scarecrow was burned, drowned in an ice-hole, or torn to pieces, and the straw left over from it was scattered across the field.

The ritual burning of the doll had a deep meaning: it is necessary to destroy the symbol of winter in order to revive its power in spring.

The holiday is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. At Shrove Tuesday, it is customary to spend each day in its own way, observing the traditions of our ancestors:

1. Monday called "Shrovetide Meeting". On this day, pancakes begin to bake. It is customary to give the first pancake to poor and needy people. On Monday, our ancestors prepared a scarecrow, dressed it in rags and put it on the main street of the village. It stood on public display until Sunday.
2. Tuesday nicknamed "Flirting". It was dedicated to youth. On this day, festivities were organized: they rode on sleds, ice slides, carousels.
3. Wednesday - "Gourmet". On this day, guests were invited to the house (friends, relatives, neighbors). They were treated to pancakes, honey cakes and pies. Also on Wednesday, it was customary to regale their sons-in-law with pancakes, hence the expression: “Son-in-law came, where to get sour cream?". Also on this day, horse races and fist fights were held.
4. Thursday popularly nicknamed "Razgulyay". From this day, the Wide Maslenitsa begins, which is accompanied by snowball games, sledding, merry round dances and chants.
5. Friday nicknamed "Mother-in-law's evenings", because on that day the sons-in-law invited the mother-in-law to their house and treated them to delicious pancakes.
6. Saturday - "Cousin's gatherings". The daughters-in-law invited her husband's sisters to their house, talked with them, treated them to pancakes and gave gifts.
7. Sunday - the apotheosis of Maslenitsa. This day was named "Forgiveness Sunday". On Sunday they said goodbye to winter, saw off Maslenitsa and symbolically burned her effigy. On this day, it is customary to ask friends and family for forgiveness for the grievances that have accumulated over the year.

Pancakes are the main symbol of Maslenitsa

The custom of baking hot and delicious pancakes with various fillings for Shrovetide has been preserved since ancient pagan times.

Once upon a time, pancakes served as sacrificial bread. It was a kind of gift to the pagan gods. In particular, the Russians had the god Yarila, the ancient Slavic god of the Sun.

And the gift was brought to him by the sun - pancakes.

After all, the pancake is the same golden and round, removed from the "hot in the heat" as the SUN itself. Pancakes were baked on the table for the New Year, which fell on March 1 according to the old style.

Pancakes for Maslenitsa - a widespread treat, mainly from Russians. Pancakes are baked all week.The process of making pancakes was a real mystery. On the eve of Maslenitsa, the hostesses prepared dough, observing special rituals. After waiting for the stars to appear in the sky, they went to a pond or well and kneaded the dough there (sometimes adding snow to it). The flour for the dough was taken very different (wheat, barley, rye), but in the old days buckwheat was the most popular. The pancakes themselves were also prepared secretly from prying eyes (even relatives were not allowed to observe the process). By the way, our language still retains the expression "bake pancakes", although we have not baked them for a long time, but fry them. At the same time, pancakes were cooked only in the oven and always on cast iron pans (often they were several pans welded together), oiled.

A real Russian pancake should have turned out to be plump, light and spongy. Prepared in Russia and pancakes with baked, that is, with filling. It was laid out in the middle of the pan and poured over with dough.

When the hostess baked pancakes, she called a boy of 8-10 years old to her place, gave him a pancake, with which he rode around the garden on horseback or a poker and shouted:

Goodbye snotty winter!

Come, summer is red!

Sokhu, harrow-

And I'll go to plow!

There was a sign on Shrovetide. You need to throw a pancake to the rooster and see: if he pounces on him and eats it without a trace, then trouble and need will come to the house, if he only bites a little and leaves it to the chickens, then joyful times will come. It is understandable: the rooster pecked a pancake-sun - there will be no spring, no fertility. And although now pancakes are not at all a ritual dish, but it is very popular in Russia and abroad.

PRACTICAL PART

Our class teacher was in charge of the school Shrovetide. She drew up the script "Wide Maslenitsa" (Appendix # 1), we helped her in everything.

On Monday, February 12, we ourselves made an effigy of Maslenitsa (Appendix # 2).

They came up with and painted decorations, decorated the hall for the holiday, at which they sang Russian folk songs “We haven't eaten pancakes for a long time” and “Snow snowball” (Appendix No. 1), played a musical scene “We bake pancakes” (Appendix No. 1).

Together with the physical education teacher Sedova Galina Aleksandrovna, we held Maslenitsa games for students: sledding, ice sledding, tug-of-war.

An effigy of Maslenitsa was burned in the schoolyard.

We decided to bake pancakes in the classroom, found recipes and cooking technologies on the Internet and in cookbooks, recipes for the most delicious pancakes are in Appendix # 3.

But the most original recipe was suggested by our Galina Aleksandrovna.

Pancake recipe "Custard, lace":

Ingredients

Chicken egg - 4 pcs.

Wheat flour -350 g

Water 250 ml

Soda -1 tsp, quenched in vinegar

Sugar -4 tbsp. spoons

Salt -0.5 tbsp. spoons

Milk-250 ml

Vegetable oil to taste

Cooking technology:

Mix and beat all ingredients with a spoon, except water. The dough should be thick and then diluted with boiling water.

Heat a skillet over a fire. Stove with vegetable oil.

Safety engineering

1) Gently use a knife, scissors when opening ingredients for making dough.

2) Only hold the pancake pan by the handle.

3) When moving pancakes from the pan to the plate, use tools (fork, spatula) to avoid contact with the surface of the pan.

4) When cleaning the place where pancakes are cooked, be careful with the pan. Because it will be hot. You need to hold it by the handle and transfer it to the sink in order to wash. Pour water over it and wait until the surface cools down. Only then should you start washing.

Classmates ate pancakes with condensed milk, cherry jam, plum jam, honey. We did not forget to treat students from other classes and school teachers. Everyone thanked us.

CONCLUSION

As a result of the work done, we:

Learned the history and traditions of Maslenitsa;

We studied the technology of making pancakes, learned how to bake pancakes ourselves;

Prepared a report on this topic for the conference;

Helped to hold a school-wide festival "Wide Maslenitsa".

Shrovetide is an interesting page in Russian life. It is a pity, but today there are few families where they have preserved the memory of traditions, rituals, and the way of life of our people.

But our advice to you - not only in Maslenitsa, but in every holiday there is a grain of reason - our ancestors did not invent anything in vain. Folk holidays inspired by gaiety, optimism, the desire to live, to do good.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1. Kovalev N.I.Russian cookery. -IMA-press. 1990
2. Skillful hostess. Popular encyclopedia of home economics. - Smolensk: Rusich. 2004
3. Come visit us for a holiday. -Smolensk. 1994.
4. Perekat'eva O. V. Theatrical holidays. - Phoenix. 2005.
5. Agapova I.A. Music games and holidays. LLC Publishing House. 2006
6. Vaksa O. Signs for girls. M .: AST-PRESS. 2000
7. Pshenitsyna N.A. Seasons. - VLADOS. 2004
8. People's month. - Contemporary. 1991
9. Petrov V.M. Spring holidays, games and fun for children. - TC "Sphere". 2000

APPENDIX # 1

Scenario of the holiday "Wide Maslenitsa"

Characters. Two buffoons, Winter, Spring, Shrovetide, 2 eggs, soda, salt, sugar, milk, flour.

Funny music. Exit buffoons.

Yeryoma: I am Yeryoma!
Thomas: I am Thomas!

Together: Who are we? Buffoons!

Two cheerful fellows, we are doing well!

Erema: We are funny funny people!
Thomas: Famous mockers!
Together: For a copper penny, we'll dance this way, and so on! And you repeat after us like this!

Dance of the buffoons

Erema : Now do not pump up,

Answer the questions.

Give me the answer

Only "yes", or only "no".

Did you meet with us for a holiday? (Children answer)

Have you stocked up with enthusiasm?

Shall we sing, play, dance?

Are you by any chance a hundred years old?

Do you have a bag of candy?

Well then cheer up

And walk on the holiday!

Thomas: And now, kids, funny girls and boys, let's get acquainted,

Let this day be remembered for many years.

Dima, Kolya and Alyosha clap your hands together.

Vladik, Yura, is Nastya here?

If here, then do not pull and stomp your feet.

Sasha and Seryozha, Ani and Natasha,

Luda, Ira and Vicki wave your hands to us.

About whom I did not say

And today I was silent,

As one family

Amicably, let's shout out loud:"I" !

So we met!

Together: The people are gathering, our Maslenitsa begins!

Thomas: Erema, call Shrovetide.

Erema: (rides a horse)

Goodbye cold winter!

Come, spring is red!

Shrovetide, come

Take a sleigh ride!

Thomas Erema: I called. Already coming ...

Song "Snow - Snowball"

1. Snow, snowball, snow - snowball,

Creeps along the road

White blizzard.

Chorus:

Snow is snow, snow is snow

Swept the tracks

Snow is snow, snow is snow

Melts into the palm of your hand.

2. We are warm in the yard,

Ears are not frozen.

We will roll the snow

In a great white lump.

3. We'll stick snowballs

Let's play together

And snowballs into each other

Have fun throwing.

Winter : Children, guests, here I am!

You all know me!

You made friends with me

With a white Zimushka - in winter.

I played snowballs with you,

And I rolled you on a sled,

Well, let's all play.

Entertain me, Winter!

Game "Snow - Snow Maiden - Snowflakes - Snowman"

(for the word "snow" everyone crouches, for the word "Snow Maiden" - they clap, for the word "snowflakes" - they spin, for the word "Snowman" - they stomp)

Thomas : Well, called Shrovetide?
Erema: I called. Winter came instead.

Winter:

I see you were happy in my winter time! I was visiting people, but it's time to leave! My time is up, it's time to give way to spring.

Thomas : I'm sorry - goodbye,

Winter is mother

I'm sorry - goodbye

Don't be angry with us!

We are waiting for you in a year

On our autumn threshold!

Erema:

And now, guys, let's call Shrovetide!

Thomas:

Hey Maslena, come

Yes, treat them to pancakes!

Yes, a beautiful roll!

We don't care about frost!

Together.

Spring Dance.

Spring: I am spring red

I wake up the earth from sleep

I fill the kidneys with juice

I grow flowers in the meadows.

I drive ice off the rivers

I make the sunrise light.

Everywhere in the field and in the forest,

I bring joy to people.

Erema: Hello sweet spring
You and I are neighbors.

Thomas: Hello red spring
We welcome you.

Spring: Hello my dears! Hello my dear ones! I suggest not to stand, but to play with me with Spring!

Erema:

When you hear good news -

Clap your hands

Thomas: And if not very good -

Stamp your feet! Did you agree?

Spring:

Spring has a birthday today! (Clap)

We treat ourselves to pancakes and cookies. (Clap)

We ask you to leave the winter as soon as possible! (Clap)

The last ruble are ready to waste! (Stomping)

I'll give you a box of chocolates for the game! (Clap)

You open, and there is nothing there! (Stomping)

Grandmothers and girls kindled all the hearths! (Clap)

Pancakes for everyone, they baked pancakes for everyone! (Clap)

Pancakes with honey and jam! (Clap)

Not pancakes, but delicious! (Clap)

Sweet pancakes with filling. (Clap)

All with a downy feather bed! (Stomp)

Others have pillows! (Stomp)

And others with shells! (Stomp)

Erema: And now we will call spring Maslenitsa

All in chorus Shrovetide come!

Bring joy to children!

Music sounds. Shrovetide comes out.

Maslenitsa:

As I got up early,

I was getting ready quickly.

As I stood by the hot stove,

She baked rolls, rolls.

Pancakes with rolls, shanezhki,

For my dear friend Sanya.

You girlfriends get together

Dress up in sundresses!

We will lead round dances together,

We must also spend the winter!

We will sing and dance together

And treat all the guests with pancakes.

Thomas:
Hello dear Maslenitsa! With you, we are always glad to have fun at the holiday of seeing off cold winter, meeting clear spring! How long have you, Maslenitsa, come to us?

Maslenitsa: For a whole week. Guys, do you like pancakes? Now we will bake pancakes, and first we will knead the dough.

(takes a pot and a ladle)

Musical scene "We bake pancakes"

(2 eggs, soda, salt, sugar, flour, milk, pancake run out to the music)

Maslenitsa: For the dough, we need 2 chicken eggs.

2 eggs. We are chicken eggs, necessary for pancakes.

Maslenitsa. Soda.

Soda. Take my advice, quench me in vinegar.

Maslenitsa. Salt.

Salt. I’m table salt!

Yes, I am sodium chloride.

Put me on a pedestal

Not only for a pleasant view.

Saturated with me everywhere

Oceanic pool.

Maslenitsa. Sugar.

Sugar. White sugar, sparkling

Who doesn't know him?

Like snow, freshly fallen, clean,

It melts in hot tea.

And come in handy in pancakes.

Maslenitsa. Flour.

Flour. I am the best wheat flour for pancakes!

Flour is falling
Over the edge of my bag.
Maslenitsa. I'll tell you a secret

There is no milk tastier

How, brothers, without him,

After all, it's useful!

In the morning, evening and afternoon

We drink milk all the time!

Maslenitsa. Now mix everything thoroughly and bake pancakes.

Pancake. I'm pancake-pancake - ruddy side
Fresh and sweet
Delicious, aromatic!
The pancake is baked for glory,
Everyone likes me, right?
Honor pancake, pancake praise,
Damn - "highlight" of the table!
Everyone wants to taste the pancake
Old and young eat it,
I'm a great pancake
Nourishing, Shrovetide!
Don't listen to anyone -
You pancakes, eat
Eat your fill, do not hesitate
Help yourself, enjoy!

Shrovetide: O th, pancakes, pancakes, pancakes

just baked!

From the heat, from the heat, steam dime!

Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!

Eat, eat, eat guys!

The song "We haven't eaten pancakes for a long time"

1. We haven't eaten pancakes for a long time,

We wanted pancakes.

Chorus:

Oh, pancakes, pancakes, pancakes,

Oh, my pancakes.

2. I had a sister

The pancakes are baked by a craftswoman.

3. Kneaded by leaps and bounds,

We cannot keep up in any way.

4. We haven't eaten pancakes for a long time,

We wanted pancakes.

Buffoons:

And now let's go for a walk, play games on the street and see off our Shrovetide !!!

APPENDIX # 2

Master class "Making a stuffed doll of Maslenitsa"

Dear friends!

We are our duet: Leonchenkova Anastasia and Dmitrieva Sophia

We did not work alone, all classmates helped us

We decided to make it for the Maslenitsa holiday in our school.

STEP # 1 "CREATING A MANNEQUIN":

Take any stick and put it on the crosspiece(on which trees are usually placed)... A small horizontal stick was attached to the top of the handle(shoulders of our future doll)... The body was made from a pillowcase, and dry hay was put inside. For the head they sewed a bag of white fabric, inside there is also hay.

STEP # 2 "CREATING A COSTUME":

The old dress brought in by Nastya Chernous came in handy. Once this dress was loved by her mother, so she did not throw it away in due time, but kept it. And now the dress has come to life again, we can say that her finest hour has come.

The apron and headscarf were made from an old skirt. A pocket for notes was sewn onto the apron.

Looked closely, what is missing. They put on a white blouse brought by Galya Bogdanova.

Hands and chest were filled with old newspapers. The face was painted with gouache. The dress and apron were decorated with paper flowers. The hair was made of gray threads. Instead of earrings, donuts from an old hat.

Unfortunately, we forgot to take a photo of the entire manufacturing process. We were very passionate about the work.

Thanks for attention!

APPENDIX No. 3

Recipes for the most delicious pancakes. Cooking technology.

Thin pancakes

Ingredients

Chicken egg 1 piece
- Wheat flour 350 g
- Water 500 ml
- Sugar to taste
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil to taste

Cooking technology

Beat the egg with water, add salt and sugar to taste, then flour until the desired consistency is reached, add oil and fry.

Chocolate pancakes on yogurt

Ingredients

Chicken egg 4 pieces
- Dark chocolate 60 g
- Wheat flour 1 glass
- Milk 1 glass
- Natural yogurt ¾ glass
- Chocolate syrup 2 tablespoons
- Sugar 2 tablespoons
- Baking powder 2 teaspoons
- Salt 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable oil to taste

Cooking technology:

1. Melt the chocolate in a water bath.
2. In a bowl, beat eggs and add melted chocolate, flour, milk, yogurt, chocolate syrup, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix everything until smooth. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes in a cool place.
3. Heat an oiled skillet well over medium heat. Fry the pancakes, adding oil as needed, until cooked on both sides.

Pancakes with meat filling

Ingredients

Wheat flour 250 g
- Chicken egg 4 pieces
- Milk 500 ml
- Sugar 15 g
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Meat 250 g
- Bulb onion 1 piece
- Vegetable oil 50 ml

Cooking technology

1. From one egg, salt, milk and flour, prepare a liquid dough, like thin sour cream.
2. Bake small thin pancakes in a preheated, greased skillet.
3. Fry the meat passed through a meat grinder and again pass through a meat grinder together with pre-fried finely chopped onions.
4. Add three finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, salt, pepper and mix well.
5. Put the filling in the middle of each pancake, roll it up in an envelope and fry in a pan

Pancakes with sausage and cheese

Ingredients

Wheat flour 8 tablespoons
- Chicken egg 5 pieces
- Milk 200 g
- Vegetable oil 3 tablespoons
- Sugar to taste

Cooking technology

1. Add eggs to flour, stir (I use a blender), then pour in milk and mix thoroughly, add salt and sugar, then butter, let stand for 20 minutes, then bake pancakes.
2. For the filling, mix cheese, sausage, cucumber and wrap in a pancake, cut into rolls.

A simple recipe for thin pancakes

Ingredients:

0.5 l. milk;
- 3 eggs;
- Sugar - 2 tablespoons of art.;
- Half tsp salt;
- 200 g flour;
- 30 g of butter.

Cooking technology

Mix eggs in a bowl with salt and sugar. Stir until smooth.
Add some milk to the mass, mix. It is better to add milk in portions so that flour lumps do not form in the dough.
Sift flour and add to the dough, mix.
Pour the rest of the milk into the dough, mix.
Melt the butter and add to the dough. Stir. The dough is watery.
For the first pancake, grease a skillet with vegetable oil and heat well.
When the dough on the top layer has already set and does not stick, it means that the pancake is fried from below and can be turned over.
Take the dough with a ladle - it's more convenient. Pour the dough into the skillet and rotate quickly in a circle to spread well.
Fry until golden brown.
Instead of butter, you can use vegetable oil in the recipe for thin pancakes.

Crispy pancakes

Ingredients:
- Milk - 500 grams
- Potato starch - 4 Art. spoons
- Wheat flour - 4 Art. spoons
- Eggs - 3 Pieces
- Sugar - 3 tbsp. spoons
- Salt - 1/3 Teaspoon

Cooking technology:

1. Beat eggs with a mixer with salt and sugar.
2. Add flour, stir.
3. Stir the starch in warm milk and pour into the dough in small portions, while stirring everything thoroughly.
4. Add vegetable oil and mix well again.
5. Fry pancakes in a well-heated skillet over medium-high heat. Grease a frying pan with oil before frying the first pancake. And another tip - before you collect the dough for the next pancake, be sure to stir the dough well.
Do not stack the finished pancakes on top of one another or grease them - you want them to be crispy

Openwork pancakes

Ingredients:
- Flour - 2.5 Glasses
- Milk - 1 Liter
- Butter - 65 grams
- Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. spoons
- Sugar - 3 tbsp. spoons
- Soda - 0.5 Teaspoons
- Salt - 0.5 Teaspoons

Cooking technology:

1. First mix all the dry ingredients (it is better to sift the flour). Then pour in vegetable oil and half of the milk. Let's mix.
2. Pour in the rest of the milk and mix.
3. Now melt the butter in the pan where we will fry the pancakes. Pour the ghee into the dough and mix.
4. Warm the pan with the remaining oil well, and begin to fry the pancakes, each on both sides.
5. They are so delicate and beautiful!

Pancakes with sour milk

Ingredients:
- Flour - 2 Glasses
- Sour milk - 2 Glasses
- eggs - 2 pieces
- Vegetable oil - 3 Art. spoons
- Soda - 1 Teaspoon
- Sugar - 1 Art. the spoon
- Salt - 0.5 Teaspoons

Cooking technology:

Sift flour into a large bowl. Add salt, sugar, vegetable oil, sour milk and eggs. Stir well and let stand for 30 minutes. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and add to the dough. Beat well. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet. Pour the dough into the pan in a thin layer and fry the pancakes on both sides. Serve ready-made pancakes with sour cream.
Enjoy your meal!

Starch pancakes

Ingredients:
- Potato starch - 200 Grams
- Milk - 400 Grams
- Eggs - 2 Pieces
- Vegetable oil - 2 Art. spoons
- Sugar - 2 Tbsp. spoons
- Salt - 0.5 Teaspoons

Cooking technology:

1. Remove milk and eggs from the refrigerator in advance so that they are at room temperature. Mix milk and eggs well.
2. Add oil, salt, sugar and starch there. Starch does not dissolve in milk, and starch particles will float in it as a suspension. Don't be afraid of that. The dough will turn out to be very thin and not viscous. But when the dough is poured into a hot pan, it will thicken.
3. Fry the pancakes until cooked in the traditional way - in a pan on both sides for 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy your meal!

Pancakes for Shrovetide is a delicious and pleasant tradition. Where did it come from? What does every day mean during Masleni week? When is Maslenitsa celebrated in 2017? The answers to all questions are in this material.

Maslenitsa is approaching. Many housewives are already looking for new pancake recipes and buying products to celebrate Shrove Week. Why is it customary to bake pancakes for Maslenitsa?

Maslenitsa 2017

In 2017, Maslenitsa will be held from 20 to 26 February. Butter Week (Cheese Week) is considered preparation for Great Lent. According to Christian traditions, it is dedicated to forgiveness of offenses, reconciliation with loved ones, and repentance. No meat is eaten this week, but fish and dairy products are allowed. It is believed that pancakes, milk, cheese, sour cream and fish should always be present on the table at this time.

Shrovetide

Every day of the week on Cheese Week means a certain ritual. On Monday, it is customary to meet Maslenitsa and bake a lot of pancakes. On Tuesday in Russia it was customary to enjoy winter games and ride the slides. On Wednesday, according to tradition, mothers-in-law try to please their beloved sons-in-law, treating them with different pancakes. From Thursday, it is allowed to start "wide" Maslenitsa festivities, to arrange dances and competitions. On Friday, at "mother-in-law's evening", the son-in-law must host the mother-in-law. Saturday is called "sister-in-law's gatherings" - the daughter-in-law invites her husband's sisters to visit.

Sunday is "forgiven". On this day, it is customary to ask each other for forgiveness, as the ancient monks of Palestine did before leaving for the desert during Great Lent. On Sunday evening, they burn the Maslenitsa effigy, burning death and winter, clearing the way for life and spring.

Shrovetide customs

The Slavs have honored the custom of celebrating the end of winter, the arrival of spring and the beginning of agricultural work since ancient times. And a ruddy golden pancake, reminiscent of the sun in shape and color, has become its symbol. In addition, pancakes are considered a symbol of a good harvest, healthy children and happy families.

Traditional Russian pancakes for Shrovetide with a sour taste were traditionally baked from buckwheat flour. However, today absolutely different types of flour are used to make pancakes, of which wheat flour is especially popular.

Pancakes can be served with butter, sour cream, caviar, honey, fish, cottage cheese. And you can "get confused" and cook, or