What Russians burn in February? – Quiz

Maslenitsa – is a traditional slavonic holiday. It came from the pagan times and find new roots in life – every year all the Russia go out to eat pancakes and have fun in the last winter days. Here is a short quiz that helps you learn more about this Russian tradition.

1. What is the translation of "Maslennitsa"?

a) "pancakenitsa" (pancake days)

b) "butternitsa" (butter days)

c) "springnitsa" (spring days)

2. On Wednesday traditionally _________ comes to __________ to eat pancakes.

a) son-in-law comes to his mother-in-law

b) daughter comes to her mother

c) Putin comes to the Cabinet of Ministers

3. What filling for pancakes is the most traditional?

a) pancakes with butter

b) pancakes with meat

c) pancakes with marshmallow

4) What is the tradition of the last day of the Maslenitsa (on Sunday)?

a) ask a Puck about the name of your future wife

b) throw the felt boot to the window of girl friend

c) ask a forgiveness from all the friends and relatives

5) What Russians burn in the end of the Maslenitsa?

a) dummy of Maslenitsa

b) dummy of Puck

c) dummy of mother-in-law

Answers:

1. What is the translation of "Maslenitsa"?

b) "butternitsa" (butter days)

There are several hypotheses why Maslenitsa is called Maslenitsa (butter week). Most probable it connected with that that traditionally during the Maslenitsa week people eat “butter” pancakes.

2. On Wednesday traditionally _________ comes to __________ to eat pancakes.

a) son-in-law comes to his mother-in-law

Maslenitsa week also closely connected with tradition of marriage brokerage. During this week they organized bride-show, so that after the Great Lent to get married.

3. What combination with pancakes is the most traditional?

a) pancakes with butter

Russians eat pancakes with a big variety of fillings – butter, sauce cream, jam, meat, mushrooms and many others. Seeing that Maslenitsa goes one week before Lent, the meat is already forbidden, but butter is still allowed.

4) What is the tradition of the last day of the Maslenitsa (on Sunday)?

c) ask a forgiveness from all the friends and relatives

The last day of Maslenitsa is called "Forgiveness Sunday", indicating the desire for God's forgiveness that lies at the heart of Great Lent. On Sunday all the people make a poklon (bow) before one another and ask forgiveness, and thus Great Lent begins in the spirit of reconciliation and Christian love.

5) What Russians burn in the end of the Maslenitsa?

a) dummy of Maslenitsa

One of hypothesis is that burning the dummy of Maslenitsa symbolizes the farewell to winter. People believe that together with burnt dummy all bad things, memories and thoughts are also flying away.

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