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Pancakes And Pugilism: Russia's Fiery Maslenitsa Marks Winter's End

Maslenitsa, or Shrovetide, is an ancient Orthodox Christian holiday celebrated in the last week before the Orthodox Lent. The festivities -- also known as Pancake Week -- are traditionally celebrated in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and mark the end of winter.

Celebrations feature the baking of traditional pancakes, sleigh rides, sparring between groups of men and, finally, the burning of an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa.

Shrovetide precedes the beginning of Lent, with each day of the week holding its own meaning. Shrove Sunday, also known as the Sunday of Forgiveness, is a day for asking forgiveness for the harm caused to other people intentionally or unintentionally.

An artist performs during Maslenitsa holiday celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow 
1 An artist performs during Maslenitsa holiday celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow 
A family cooks a holiday dinner at their apartment in Moscow as a pancake woman stands on a table.
2 A family cooks a holiday dinner at their apartment in Moscow as a pancake woman stands on a table.
Russians dance during the Maslenitsa festival in Suzdal.
3 Russians dance during the Maslenitsa festival in Suzdal.
A Russian clown helps a girl to climb up a wooden pole to get a prize during Maslenitsa celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
4 A Russian clown helps a girl to climb up a wooden pole to get a prize during Maslenitsa celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
A performer bakes pancakes for guests during Maslenitsa in Moscow.
5 A performer bakes pancakes for guests during Maslenitsa in Moscow.
Russians in traditional dress celebrate Maslenitsa close to the village of Gzhel, about 60 kilometers from Moscow.
6 Russians in traditional dress celebrate Maslenitsa close to the village of Gzhel, about 60 kilometers from Moscow.
A man drops a skillet, which he received as a prize, after he climbed up a wooden pole in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok. 
7 A man drops a skillet, which he received as a prize, after he climbed up a wooden pole in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok. 
People compete in a tug-of-war during Maslenitsa celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow. 
8 People compete in a tug-of-war during Maslenitsa celebrations at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow. 
Traditionaly dressed Russian women celebrate Maslenitsa in the village of Gzhel.
9 Traditionaly dressed Russian women celebrate Maslenitsa in the village of Gzhel.
Russians watch a burning effigy of Lady Maslenitsa in Suzdal.
10 Russians watch a burning effigy of Lady Maslenitsa in Suzdal.
Friendly sparring between groups of men is part of the Maslenitsa festivities, such as these Russian men at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
11 Friendly sparring between groups of men is part of the Maslenitsa festivities, such as these Russian men at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian men participate in a mass fight competition close to village of Gzhel, not far from Moscow.
12 Russian men participate in a mass fight competition close to village of Gzhel, not far from Moscow.
A man celebrates Maslenitsa close to the village of Gzhel, near Moscow.
13 A man celebrates Maslenitsa close to the village of Gzhel, near Moscow.
Men toss a young woman at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
14 Men toss a young woman at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow.
People watch a castle-shape wooden construction called Corona Tower -- created by Russian artist Nikolai Polissky -- burn as part of celebrations in the village of Nikola-Lenivets, about 200 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
15 People watch a castle-shape wooden construction called Corona Tower -- created by Russian artist Nikolai Polissky -- burn as part of celebrations in the village of Nikola-Lenivets, about 200 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
16
Children play ball with brooms during Maslenitsa at the Izmailovsky Kremlin.
17 Children play ball with brooms during Maslenitsa at the Izmailovsky Kremlin.
A man climbs up a wooden pole to get a prize during celebrations in the Moscow region.
18 A man climbs up a wooden pole to get a prize during celebrations in the Moscow region.
Participants try pancakes in Nizhny Novgorod.
19 Participants try pancakes in Nizhny Novgorod.
People try to negotiate a stone maze outside St. Petersburg.
20 People try to negotiate a stone maze outside St. Petersburg.
Russians jump over the charred remains of an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa outside St. Petersburg.
21 Russians jump over the charred remains of an effigy of Lady Maslenitsa outside St. Petersburg.
People watch a burning installation called Vaccination Tower during celebrations of Maslenitsa in Russia's Kaluga region.
22 People watch a burning installation called Vaccination Tower during celebrations of Maslenitsa in Russia's Kaluga region.
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