Shrovetide in 2025 - when to bake pancakes and burn the scarecrow

Maslenitsa is one of the oldest and most fun Russian folk festivals, celebrated on the eve of Lent. It is a time when families and friends come together to enjoy pancakes, participate in contests and games, and conduct various rituals of seeing off winter and welcoming spring. "Izvestia" tells readers about the traditions of Maslenitsa and the meaning of each of its days.

What is the date of Pancake Day in 2025?

The date of Pancake Day changes every year and depends on the Orthodox calendar. Usually the celebration of Shrovetide begins on Monday and lasts all week, which is completed by the so-called Forgiveness Sunday.

Shrovetide precedes Lent and in 2025 falls between February 24 and March 2.

Shrovetide 2025 by days - meaning, essence

Each of the seven days of Shrovetide has its own name and is accompanied by certain traditions. Monday - Meeting. On this day it is customary to build bonfires and play fun games to see off winter and welcome spring. The traditional element is pranks and jokes to ward off evil spirits. On the first day of Shrovetide they start baking pancakes, but the treats are not eaten by themselves, but given to the poor or taken to the graves of the deceased.

Tuesday of Shrovetide week is called Zaigrysh. This day is intended for young people who are in search of a couple. In Russia, it was customary to arrange a viewing, because during Lent weddings are forbidden. Having got acquainted during Shrovetide Tuesday, young people had an opportunity to get to know each other better, so that by Red Mountain, at the end of Lent, they could get married.

Those families, who were not interested in seeing each other, simply invited their relatives and friends to the feast - on Shrovetide days the table is always abundant and the hosts are hospitable. The traditional dish of the holiday on all days is pancakes.

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Shrove Wednesday or Lakomka is the time when a son-in-law visits his mother-in-law and the latter pampers him with pancakes. At the same time, the wife's parent had to show special favor and kindness to the guest. It was believed that her future relations with her daughter would depend on it.

Thursday is the beginning of Shrovetide. From this day start festivities, in towns and villages organize festive processions and fairs. One of the brightest traditions of Razguliai is participation in costumed carnivals. People dress up in a variety of characters: animals, fairytale heroes, historical figures and other costumes.

Also the traditions of Razguliai include various activities and games on the street - tug of war, jumping in sacks and other entertainment.

And on Friday the mother-in-law and son-in-law change places: now the young ones host the wife's mother. In this case, the parent can bring her friends to brag about how well her daughter has arranged her family life. Therefore, the fifth day of Shrovetide is called "Mother-in-law's Evening".

Saturday is considered a kind of women's day. After all, young daughters-in-law call to themselves sisters-in-law and girlfriends. The girls discuss the latest news, fortune-telling and eating. This day is called Zolovkin's sit-downs.

On the last day of the week, Forgiveness Sunday, it is customary to burn an effigy of Shrovetide. This ritual symbolizes the farewell of winter and welcome the arrival of spring. People sing songs, dance around the fire and perform various rituals.

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Also Forgiveness Sunday is accompanied by ritual bonfires. Dances, songs, games and other festive activities are held around the fire. Bonfires are a symbol of purification and greeting of the new time, spring.

The last day of Shrovetide is intended for forgiveness and absolution before the beginning of Lent. Believers visit churches for confession and ask forgiveness from God, as well as apologize to loved ones. It is a time of introspection, reflection, preparation for giving up temptations and approaching spiritual ideals.

Shrovetide - 2025: history and essence

The history of Pancake Day goes back to the times of the ancient Slavs. The holiday is closely connected with pagan rites of seeing off winter, renewing nature and attracting fertility.

Pancakes, which are an integral part of Pancake Day, symbolize the sun. Slavs believed that the more pancakes were baked and eaten during Pancake Week, the sunnier and more fertile would be the next sowing and Easter week.

With the advent of Christianity, Pancake Day acquired a religious meaning. The holiday serves as a precursor to the upcoming restrictions together with the Great Lent.

Pancake Day is one of the most popular folk festivals, when people get together, enjoy fun activities, treats and show their commitment to folk traditions and culture.

What you can't do on Shrovetide - 2025

There are few restrictions on Shrovetide - these are the days when people can afford to be satiated and fatten up before fasting. Any food can be served on the table, and festivities and entertainment are welcome.

However, it is worth remembering that Shrovetide is a light family holiday, so excessive alcohol consumption is not welcome.

Also, Shrovetide week is a time of joy and empathy, and it is inappropriate to show dislike or ridicule towards others. It is important to observe the rules of hospitality and respect other people's property and space. It is better to avoid talking behind the back and spreading rumors about other people.

Earlier "Izvestia" shared postcards and congratulations on Shrovetide.