So…we’ve reached it…the last day of the Winter…celebration of survival, of getting over it, of the beginning of something new and bright and sunny. Even if the weather tells otherwise, we still officially into Spring now. Actually, the weather here is relatively up-to-date with the moment and treats us with a bit of sunshine here and there, blue skies’ pattern in between the unwashed gray clouds and while typing this, I’ve just noticed from my office window two birds making love…[ ~Awww ] so we can safely tick the boxes of required attributes and say: the Spring is in the air…or at least she will be in the Calendar tomorrow.
I had a feeling that I have been missing out on something, when I saw “Pancake Day” in the news…that’s it – I forgot of the tastiest holiday of a year! It is strange how when you change your cultural structure you loose the things that you used to do all your life before. You’d think, the traditions are something to stay with you regardless circumstances, for as long as you remember. But apparently, traditions are built on the idea of togetherness; it is fun to participate in celebrations when everybody is having fun the same time. It is an awkward situation when you are in it on your own…So I’ve missed the Pancake Day. Not that I would've done something out of ordinary today anyway. Maybe cook some pancakes, that’s all. Yet I remember how it used to be when I was a child. I can assure you – it was a wonderful holiday with lots of fun and no escape from smiles and laughs.
When I think of tradition of celebrating this day, it occurs to me that despite of doing all the things that are traditional to do on this day, we never really give it a thought to why it is this way. So I went on a little discovery journey and found out few interesting things about Coming Out Of Winter days. I will put them to the *end of this entry for those who’re interested in history as much as I am.
I am pretty sure that in any country there will be similar traditions for this particular time of a year. Would it be pretty dumb of me to say that I had no idea what Mardi Grass means until I’ve read about it in connection to my little personal research today?! As well as "Shrove Tuesday". I was surprised to find so much in common between so different cultures. And I’m sure there are much more surprises out there, they just need to be noticed. If you know of any traditions to celebrate Spring in your area, I’d really like to hear about it.
Happy Pancake Day!
*Apparently, in Russia this tradition goes long way ago, into pre-Christianity. It is easy to guess that it symbolized the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. (and up until the 14th century the year in Russia started in March!) I suspect the same is true for many other countries, as human always live to the rhythm of nature. Christianity brought in the concept of a fasting and of a getting literally "fed up" just before the Lent. (again, if you’d ask my humble opinion, I would say that religion just done a little adopting to the existing habits of population) anyway, in Russia this particular holiday celebrated during the whole week. Each day has a special name and special rituals about it and the last one – the culmination of all, when the Winter Scarecrow is burnt and pancakes are baked.
It would be a big street carnival, Troika rides (rides on sledges drawn by three horses) and tobogganing, fist fighting, hill sliding, street performances and games, building a snow fort and storm it, when it supposed to get destroyed. And of course, the main attribute – pancakes! Goldish, round and hot they can easily symbolize the Sun. A nice and yummy festival, “Maslenitsa”.
I had a feeling that I have been missing out on something, when I saw “Pancake Day” in the news…that’s it – I forgot of the tastiest holiday of a year! It is strange how when you change your cultural structure you loose the things that you used to do all your life before. You’d think, the traditions are something to stay with you regardless circumstances, for as long as you remember. But apparently, traditions are built on the idea of togetherness; it is fun to participate in celebrations when everybody is having fun the same time. It is an awkward situation when you are in it on your own…So I’ve missed the Pancake Day. Not that I would've done something out of ordinary today anyway. Maybe cook some pancakes, that’s all. Yet I remember how it used to be when I was a child. I can assure you – it was a wonderful holiday with lots of fun and no escape from smiles and laughs.
When I think of tradition of celebrating this day, it occurs to me that despite of doing all the things that are traditional to do on this day, we never really give it a thought to why it is this way. So I went on a little discovery journey and found out few interesting things about Coming Out Of Winter days. I will put them to the *end of this entry for those who’re interested in history as much as I am.
I am pretty sure that in any country there will be similar traditions for this particular time of a year. Would it be pretty dumb of me to say that I had no idea what Mardi Grass means until I’ve read about it in connection to my little personal research today?! As well as "Shrove Tuesday". I was surprised to find so much in common between so different cultures. And I’m sure there are much more surprises out there, they just need to be noticed. If you know of any traditions to celebrate Spring in your area, I’d really like to hear about it.
Happy Pancake Day!
*Apparently, in Russia this tradition goes long way ago, into pre-Christianity. It is easy to guess that it symbolized the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. (and up until the 14th century the year in Russia started in March!) I suspect the same is true for many other countries, as human always live to the rhythm of nature. Christianity brought in the concept of a fasting and of a getting literally "fed up" just before the Lent. (again, if you’d ask my humble opinion, I would say that religion just done a little adopting to the existing habits of population) anyway, in Russia this particular holiday celebrated during the whole week. Each day has a special name and special rituals about it and the last one – the culmination of all, when the Winter Scarecrow is burnt and pancakes are baked.
It would be a big street carnival, Troika rides (rides on sledges drawn by three horses) and tobogganing, fist fighting, hill sliding, street performances and games, building a snow fort and storm it, when it supposed to get destroyed. And of course, the main attribute – pancakes! Goldish, round and hot they can easily symbolize the Sun. A nice and yummy festival, “Maslenitsa”.