Traditional celebrations of Cheese Week in Ukraine. Why pancakes are the symbol of Masliana? Masliana (also called as Butter/Cheesefare Week) is a sunny and bright ancient feast which marks the meeting of winter with spring and switch to a new life cycle. This holiday is associated with delicious food and great celebrations. During Cheese Week people enjoy the sun and eat a record amount of flavorful, appetizing pancakes. However, not everyone knows the history of the origin of this feast. Masliana is one of the oldest Slavic holidays since it goes back to pre-Christian times, when people worshipped pagan deity. Masliana symbolized the coming of spring and awakening of nature. Ancient Slavic people celebrated “farewell to winter” and the beginning of spring and farming. On this day people honored Sun which gives warmth and wakens nature. They cooked “sacrificial food”, pancakes, which were similar in form and color to the Sun. Round, golden pancakes embodied bright Sun that is also round, hot, and yellow-colored. Pagan rituals were dedicated to God Veles, the patron of catt...↴ http://ukrainian-recipes.com/traditional-celebrations-of-cheese-week-in-ukraine-why-pancakes-are-the-symbol-of-masliana.html
