Maslenitsa has come to an end at the RUSSIA EXPO

Guests of the Exposition were charged with bright emotions and excellent mood, having taken part in traditional Maslenitsa amusements, creative meetings, lectures, masterclasses and tastings, as well as having attended many concerts and theatrical performances. 

One of the central events of the week was the Maslenitsa Festival in the House of Russian Cuisine — a series of fascinating gastronomic performances from the best chefs from different regions of Russia. In addition, on the final day of Maslenitsa, a street pancake tournament "Maslenitsa-2024" was held at the Exposition. Visitors to the Exposition not only witnessed delicious competitions, but also had the opportunity to taste about 20 types of pancakes of the peoples of Russia.

And, of course, what Russian Maslenitsa can do without records. On the final day of the festive week the participants of the masterclass on pancake making, although at the third attempt, baked the biggest pancake of Russia, almost 320 cm in diameter.

Photo: Ilya Pitalev/RIA News

After the tastings, it was possible to get physically active on the square in front of the Exposition's Main Street Stage, where traditional Maslenitsa amusements were held during the whole festive week: the guests were happy to take part in vareniki fights, pancake catching, Maslenitsa mosaic, broomball, ringball, braid weaving, round dance games and, of course, in tug-of-war: big and thick rope was for the adult participants of the festival and small rope was for the youngest guests.

For those who prefer educational programs to noisy folk festivities, the organizers prepared a variety of workshops and creative meetings: the guests of the Exposition were told about the rich traditions of Maslenitsa, explained why the first pancake always comes out with a "lump", learned how to create a folk Maslenitsa effigy doll, silk painting, demonstrated traditional dances and songs associated with the holiday.

Photo: Alexey Mayshev/RIA News

A large-scale theatrical and concert program awaited the Exposition visitors during the whole Pancake Week. The main characters of the thematic days — Straw Scarecrow, Mother-in-law, Son-in-law, Sun, Maidens in kokoshniks — took turns to become the "headliners" of the Maslenitsa procession accompanied by stilt walkers, stuntmen, musicians and animators. On the Main Street Stage there were concerts featuring People's Artists of Russia Nadezhda Babkina, Nadezhda Krygina, Lyudmila Nikolaeva and Sergei Borzov, folklore ensemble "Zolotayushka", choral and folk singing ensemble "Lubo-Milo" directed by Ekaterina and Vladimir Brinchugovs, singer Varvara, ensemble "Balagan Limited" and other artists and groups.

Photo: Alexey Mayshev/RIA News

"Maslenitsa Theatrical" was presented by the performance "Dremushki" of the Artem Gaponenko's Moscow independent author's theater "O", as well as artists of the Moscow Folk Choir and specialists of the Center of Russian Folklore with an interactive performance "Folk Games". And it was possible to experience the entire Maslenitsa Week in one day — from Meeting to Razgulyay — at the theatricalized concert "Merry Naslenitsa — the Heart of Russia" with the participation of students — laureates of all-Russian and international competitions.

Modern Russia is not only the richest folk traditions, but also advanced technologies, which were also reflected in the Maslenitsa at the RUSSIA EXPO. On the final day of Pancake Week at the Exposition, there was a multimedia show based on the paintings of famous artists and fragments of literary works dedicated to the holiday. NeuroMaslenitsa became the main character of the show. The festive week ended with the burning of a Maslenitsa effigy on the Exposition's Main Street Stage.