Slavic Maslenitsa. Saltation of the Young, Riding on Spinning Wheels and Booths under the Mountains

A thorough investigation of Maslenitsa, revealing it as a multi-layered Slavic holiday with a rich history, deep symbolism, and vibrant regional traditions.

Piles of pancakes fresh off the griddle and a burning effigy — this is how most people envision Maslenitsa.... But it is not limited to just that. In the book, you will learn about the roots of one of the most vivid calendar rituals: why Maslenitsa was called the Milk Abstinence and the Butter Week, what the fist fights were famous for, why bonfires were lit, and what meanings the songs carried. You will be presented with a story about a holiday that was celebrated both in the city and in the village; throughout the country — in the south and in the north (and everywhere differently!). As well as about youth festivities, booths, and how the Soviet power "tamed" Maslenitsa.

The authors take the reader from ancient rituals to modern festivities, showing how rides, fist fights, treats, bonfires, and the burning of the effigy intertwine into a single fabric of ritual, infused with themes of fertility, renewal, and the connection of generations.