Maslenitsa !
Maslenitsa is one of the most joyful holidays of the year and is widely celebrated throughout Russia. It reflects centuries-old traditions, carefully preserved and passed on from generation to generation.
In France, I remember how I used to love, as a kid, "Chandeleur" which comes from the Latin festa candelarum, “the festival of candles”.
Considered as a Christian religious festival that symbolizes the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and his recognition as "Light who reveals himself to the nations," it is celebrated on the 2nd of February, approximately 40 days after Christmas.
Apart from eating delicious French crêpes, I decided to do more research and, after all, realized that, as well as in Russia, it used to be, until the Middle Ages, a pagan celebration.
Coming from the Romans, this celebration was known as "Lupercalia", in honor of Lupercus, god of fertility and flocks.
Obviously, it was considered by the Church to be a denaturation, incompatible with Christian ideals, which explains why they changed the original meaning.
In Rus (old Russia), Maslenitsa has long been customary to celebrate the change of seasons originally associated with the day of the spring solstice.
With the adoption of Christianity, it began to precede Lent.
Winter has always been a difficult time for people—cold, hungry, and dark. Therefore, the arrival of spring was especially a rejoicing time, and this definitely had to be celebrated. Maslenitsa is so called because people tried to appease, that is, butter spring.
Since ancient times, there has been a tradition in honor of the spring sun to bake round, flat cakes shaped like the sun. It was believed that by eating such a dish, a person would receive a piece of sunlight and warmth. For Maslenitsa, pancakes had to be baked and eaten as much as possible. They were served with all sorts of fillings: fish, cabbage, honey, and, of course, butter and sour cream.
The most popular entertainments that used to be held in villages during Maslenitsa were fist fights, sleigh rides, climbing a pole for a prize, eating pancakes for a while, and, of course, round dances, songs and dances. Today, we associate this holiday with visiting family and friends, where a joyful meeting of spring and warmth takes place in a cozy atmosphere. In this regard, this holiday can be called unifying and family-oriented.
Are you going to celebrate Maslenitsa?
If yes, you can find below a recipe, made in Russia, that is known as the recipe of Leon Tolstoi’s wife, Sophie.
Ingredients :
2 cups of kefir
2 cups of flour
2 eggs
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
sugar and salt to your liking
Preparation :
Mix the kefir, flour, eggs, sugar and salt in a salad bowl.
Add the baking soda to a glass of boiling water and mix well.
Slowly pour the water and baking soda into the batter. Stir until the dough is smooth.
Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Add the oil.
Fry the pancakes!
Bon Appétit !
