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.
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.
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.
"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.
The event will feature a presentation of a collection of essays written by participants of the international project "Open Dialogue: The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth."
