Carnival in 2026: date, history, traditions by day
On Monday, the celebration of Maslenitsa begins in Russia — a national celebration dedicated to the departure of winter. Every year, the holiday is celebrated for seven days, during each of which it is customary to conduct special rituals. In Russia, young people on Maslenitsa days participated in noisy fun and games, and housewives baked rosy pancakes — the main festive treat. When Maslenitsa appeared and how spring was celebrated in Russia, Izvestia tells.
Maslenitsa: what kind of holiday is it and why is it called that?
Maslenitsa is an ancient holiday dating back to pagan times. It was originally celebrated at the end of March, timed to coincide with the vernal equinox, when the day became longer than the night, and nature awoke after hibernation.
The holiday symbolized the victory of light over darkness and the beginning of a new agricultural year. The ancient Slavs believed that loud festivities and plentiful treats would help appease the forces of nature and ensure a rich harvest.
According to one version, Maslenitsa was dedicated to Yarila, the god of the spring sun, fertility and rebirth. On the other — Veles, the patron saint of cattle, wealth and fertility of the earth. A mandatory element was the "winter funeral" ceremony: a straw effigy, representing the cold and the old year, was dressed up in women's clothes, danced around it, sang songs, and at the end was burned on a large bonfire. It was believed that fire cleanses space, banishes the cold and opens the way for spring.
After the adoption of Christianity in Russia in the 10th century, the pagan holiday did not disappear, but organically entered the church calendar. Maslenitsa has become a Cheese (Meat—eating) week - the last week before Lent. The church has rethought ancient customs: pancakes have remained a symbol of the sun and joy, burning an effigy is a sign of purification from sins and farewell to the past, and the festive period has turned into a stage of preparing the soul and body for fasting. Meat products were forbidden, but dairy products, eggs and fish were allowed. Hence the name "Cheese Week".
When will Maslenitsa be in 2026?
The dates of Maslenitsa change annually, as they depend on Easter. First, the day of the Bright Resurrection of Christ is determined, after which 56 days are counted back from it — that's when Maslenitsa week begins.
In 2026, Easter falls on April 12, so Maslenitsa will be celebrated from Monday, February 16, to Sunday, February 22. Lent will begin immediately after that.
By tradition, the first three days are called narrow Maslenitsa — this is the time of preparation for the holiday and household chores. A wide Carnival begins on Thursday, when they tried to postpone the main work, and the main attention was paid to festivities, visits to relatives and street amusements.
Shrovetide table: what was prepared for the holiday
Pancakes have long been considered the main treat of Maslenitsa. Their round shape and golden color were associated with the sun and the awakening of nature. The housewives prepared dozens of versions — thin and fluffy, with or without yeast, with honey, sour cream, caviar, mushrooms, cottage cheese and jam.
It was believed that pancakes should be baked as much as possible so that the year would be full and successful. Some of the treats were distributed to neighbors, beggars, or left in memory of deceased relatives. In addition to pancakes, pies, dumplings, porridges with butter and fish were placed on the table.
Carnival by day: names and traditions
In Russia, each of the seven days of Maslenitsa had its own name and special meaning.
Monday, February 16 — Meeting
On this day, pancakes were baked, snow slides were built and swings were installed, and a straw effigy of winter was made. The first pancake was given to the poor or left untouched in memory of the deceased. It was believed that you need to celebrate the holiday in a good mood, otherwise the whole year will be spent in worries.
Tuesday, February 17th, is a game
Youth fun and matchmaking day. The guys invited the girls to ride down the slides, after which they treated them to pancakes. It was considered bad luck to refuse invitations.
Wednesday, February 18, is a treat
The end of the narrow Carnival. On this day, the son-in-law came to his mother-in-law for pancakes, and the housewives tried to set a particularly generous table. Our ancestors believed that rich food strengthens family relationships.
Thursday, February 19th — Razgulyay
The beginning of broad Carnival. There were mass festivities, fist fights, the capture of a snowy town, roller coaster rides and round dances. Sadness and loneliness on this day were considered a bad sign.
Friday, February 20th — Mother-in-law's Evenings
On this day, the son-in-law hosted his mother-in-law, treating her to Shrovetide dishes. The wife's mother had to be appeased in order to maintain and strengthen good family relations.
Saturday, February 21, Sister—in-law gatherings
The daughters-in-law invited her husband's sisters and other relatives to visit, treated them and gave them small gifts. According to legend, her luck and relationship with her husband depended on the generosity of the hostess.
Sunday, February 22, is a send—off, or a Forgiven Sunday
The culmination of the holiday. People asked each other for forgiveness as they prepared for Lent, and in the evening they burned an effigy of Maslenitsa. It symbolized the passing of winter and the beginning of a new life cycle.
Folk signs and prohibitions of Maslenitsa
There were many prohibitions associated with the holiday. The main thing is the consumption of meat, since the week precedes fasting. They also tried to avoid quarrels, harsh words and envy.
According to popular beliefs, it was impossible to meet guests in an untidy house, refuse to help those in need and spend their days in despondency. It was believed that this could attract troubles and failures into life.
Special attention was paid to pancakes. If the first one turned out ruddy and thin, it promised to be a successful year, if it was thick, it promised a lot of hard work. A smooth pancake was considered a sign of harmony, and a pale pancake was considered a sign of possible family difficulties. Pancakes were not cut with a knife, for fear of causing quarrels.
The weather on Shrovetide was used to judge the upcoming spring and summer. Sunny days foreshadowed early warmth, frosts — prolonged spring. Long icicles promised a good harvest, strong winds promised a rainy summer, and drops in the middle of Shrovetide week promised a rapid warming.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
