The fourth day of Shrovetide - Razgulyai: time to play and have fun

Thursday of Shrovetide week is popularly known as Razgulyay. This day serves as a boundary before the so-called wide Maslenitsa and gives a start to large-scale festive festivities. This is the time when all adults and children have fun without shyness, rejoice and take part in active games. "Izvestia" familiarizes readers with the essence and traditions of Pancake Day.

The fourth day of Pancake Day (Razguliai) in 2025 - customs and traditions

The fourth day of Pancake Day is the most noisy and cheerful day of celebration. If until now sit-downs with pancakes and traditional activities were local, then from Thursday large-scale events begin. People symbolically expel winter and welcome spring.

Concerts, fairs and festivities unfold in the streets and squares. Traditionally, musicians and folk artists are invited to the festivities to entertain the guests with songs, dances and clowns. Children also actively participate in Shrovetide festivities, dressing up in colorful costumes.

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Sports competitions in which people compete in strength and agility are popular. The change of seasons implies saying goodbye to winter "hibernation" and filling with the energy of spring. Another type of activity is mass dancing, during which people try to catch each other or get in the way of the opponent.

Every house starts baking pancakes, treating family members, friends and neighbors. Often the pancakes are distributed to the poor and needy, so that they too can join the festivities. In this way the celebration turns into a time of mutual help and compassion, not just fun.

The fourth day of Shrovetide (Razgulyai) in 2025 - what you can and can not do

As in other days of Shrovetide, on Razgulyai it is not supposed to drink. Although the festive table and abounds with treats, you can not abuse and turn the celebration into a binge.

It is believed that Wide Thursday, as it is also called, can not be spent at home - it is a time of festivities, fun, dancing and socializing. It is also impossible to be sad on the fourth day of Pancake Day, so as not to bring boredom and gloom on the coming year.

If possible, you should not burden yourself with work, because the day implies fun and carefree. But, despite this, the house should be kept clean and cleaned in advance before Thursday.

Earlier "Izvestia" told readers about the history and traditions of the last day of Pancake Day - Farewell Sunday.