Maslenitsa

(Image source: Tjukka2, flickr)

Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday, celebrated during the last week before Great Lent; the eighth week before Eastern Orthodox Pascha (Easter). Maslenitsa corresponds to the Western Christian Carnival. The most characteristic food of Maslenitsa is bliny thin pancakes or crepes, made from the rich foods still allowed by the Orthodox tradition that week: butter, eggs, and milk.