Seeing off winter in 2024 falls on March 17, the last day of Maslenitsa. Winter cold in Rus' has always been considered very severe. Depending on how the village worked in the spring, summer and autumn, there were chances to both calmly survive the cold and face very serious difficulties. So every time the temperature started to rise, people started celebrating. Today, the celebrations are different from those before, but the spirit of tradition still remains.
When they celebrate
Seeing off the Russian winter in 2024 can be divided into three important dates of the Orthodox calendar:
- Shrovetide - March 11-17;
- Lent - March 18-May 4;
- Easter - May 5th.
There are no fixed dates. Especially the law. Events are counted from Christmas. This is an important Russian holiday, which still means a lot to the people.
In 2024, the celebration moves to spring. It turns out that it will really be seeing off winter. Warming will begin by the dates of the holidays, the snow will have to melt in almost all regions.
Before, the holidays began when the cold had not yet passed in some regions. This time everything will be different. For example, Seeing off the winter of 2024 in Syktyvkar will also be on the 17th and the weather is expected to be as warm as in Moscow.
History
Russia at the beginning of its history was a pagan and mystical state.Much attention was paid to natural phenomena, the change of seasons and the weather. From the very beginning there was a huge agricultural country. The main working time is spring-autumn. In winter they rested, prepared and stocked up.
Festival of the beginning of spring -- Komoyeditsa. Honoring the bear patron for strength and power. Then they began to bake pancakes in the form of the Sun, believing that this was a gift from the Gods to people and help in their endeavors.
When Christianity came to the state, it was necessary to preserve the old traditions. For this, important holidays were left, only endowed with a different meaning. Now, instead of festivities - preparation for an important test of the soul and body - Great Lent.
Basic traditions like pancakes and scarecrows have been left behind. In Soviet times, they completely abandoned the religious overtones, made a fixed date (immediately after the end of February, on the first Sunday of March), but people still did not accept the imposed holiday, and part of the population still celebrated in the old way.
During its existence, the holiday has changed more than once, but its essence has remained unchanged. This is an important date, symbolizing the transition to the warm season. gifts to the Sun and preparation for future hard work.
Main traditions and rituals
Pancake week is the central holiday, and each day is filled with its own meaning. Traditions and rituals are so deeply rooted that the age-old rejection of everything unconventional and mystical could not cope with them.
Short description of 7 days:
- Monday. The meeting is one of the oldest rituals. They baked the first pancake and gave it to the poor or the unfortunate. So draw the attention of higher powers to those who really needed help. They prepared straw and made stuffed animals.
- Tuesday. Matchmaking and bridesmaids. Day for the young. The girls were looking for a betrothed, the guys looked at all the brides. Good time for a wedding.
- Wednesday. Day-gourmet. At that moment the tables began to be laid. Pies and pancakes were the main dishes. They invited all relatives and friends to arrange a large-scale feast.
- Thursday. The moment when the full-fledged festivities begin. It has always been celebrated in a big way. We started in the morning. They organized various competitions, entertainment not only for young, but also for old residents.
- Friday. The day when everything continues to gain momentum. Entertainment becomes more fun, and the festivities do not subside yet. At the same time, they got to know their future relatives, who were brought to the house after the show.
- Saturday. It was considered a family and very close day. Everyone showed off their outfits, preparations, and goodies in a small circle. If there were unmarried guys or girls at the table, they tried to invite someone too so that the day would not go in vain.
- Sunday. The most important and difficult day. Despite the whole atmosphere of the week, by the end it was necessary to let go of the negative. They prepared for Great Lent - they absolved the sins of loved ones and burned an effigy, believing that difficulties and hardships would go away with it.
This is how the traditional Maslenitsa week passed. After that, the real test began. Great Lent - which was supposed to serve as purification and hardening for the soul and body.
Now, of all the traditions, only common festivities, pancakes, burning of an effigy and forgiveness Sunday have been preserved. Everything else is gradually forgotten. Most of the old village holidays were made for the young - so that they could get to know each other, find a mate and bring them into the house. Now there is no such need.
Holiday in cities
Seeing off winter in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities gather a lot of people. In 2024, as in the past, noisy festivities, contests and acquaintances will be held. For those who do not want to participate in all this, you can spend time at home.
The most important thing is to keep the main attributes - pancakes in the shape of the Sun. They symbolize the gift of the Higher powers, which will bring good luck, warmth and happiness.
Shrovetide, Lent and Easter are different every year. Nevertheless, these are very important dates on which people say goodbye to the difficult, cold season and start a new life. It is important to observe traditions, prepare properly, and at all times respect the customs that have survived to this day.
