Bakshev Maslyanitsa

Bakshev Maslyanitsa

Maslyanitsa is a traditional Russian Festival of welcoming the spring.

Bakshev Maslyanitsa has its own traditions, from 1985.

Every year enthusiasts prepare for the celebration and every year they choose a new location. For weeks before the celebration they meet to build a snow fortress. The location is kept secret till 3 days before the festival. They close the registration several days before the event and the location is revealed to registered participants only, so it’s a little bit like a game even before the event.

On the day the program starts at 9.30h

Russian transitional skomorokhs meet you at the entrance and you are not allowed in unless you perform ( a song, a dance ect)

At 11h girls start calling for Spring (Russian traditions). Everyone is welcome to join, the Spring might come earlier! J

12.45h Skomorokh walk

The main goal of the gathering is to get the Bear out of the Fortress. The Bear is inside, people are making noise to chase the Bear away and to steal the Malaynitsa doll, symbolising Winter, aiming to burn it. The Bear returns, there is a fight for the Fortress.  This is a full day happy and merry Maslynitsa celebration with eating pancakes and participation (or watching) various folk games and entertainments.