Russians meet the Pancake Week

The first day of the Pancake Week is celebrated today in Russia and in some other countries of the former Soviet Union. This pagan holiday represents the inheritance of the ancient Slavs, personifying the jolly winter send-off and expectation of the nature’s spring renewal. The pancakes are the obligatory attribute of the holiday. They symbolize the Sun, which shines brighter every day beginning from February and in the ancient time people believe that when they eat the pancakes they thereby acquire a part of the Sun’s warmth and power. The Pancake Week falls on the week before the Lent, so it is considered it isn’t shameful for the people to have a good fun and good meals before the long fast.