DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Perhaps the most cheerful holiday in Russia is Maslenitsa (Shrovetide).   This holiday is considered to come from pre-Christian times, when the Slavs were still pagans.    In the old days, Maslenitsa was for remembrance of the dead.  So the burning of the figure of Maslenitsa means her funeral, and blini (pancakes)- coliphia .  But with time, the Russians longing for fun and entertainment turned the sad holiday into jolly.   Maslenitsa with blini-rounds, yellow and hot as the sun, sledding and horse sleigh's, fistfights and visiting with your mother-in-law .  The rituals of Maslenitsa are very unusual and interesting because they combine the end of the winter holiday rituals and the opening of new spring festivals and ceremonies, which were used to promote a rich harvest.    Maslenitsa is celebrated during the week preceding  Lent.  Every day of Maslenitsa was devoted to special rituals. Mond...