#slavpol

What is Puschanya?

More commonly called Maslenitsa, Puschanya is an East Slavic holiday that takes place on the week before the Great Lent (for the year of 2024 this is March 11 through March 17). It’s quite similar to Mardi Gras, in which it’s a week of people feasting and hosting a bunch of different events, which generally culimate with a burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa, similar to Marzanna drownings in Polish traditions.

How Can I Celebrate Puschanya?

❈ building a small effigy of the goddess of winter and destroying it

❈ making pierogi

❈ making blini (similar to crepes)

❈ visiting family and friends, sharing meals, and giving gifts on “Forgiveness Sunday” (March 17) and throughout the week

❈ spend time doing outdoor activities, like hiking, snowball fights, etc.

Although it’s primarily a Christian holiday at this point, there’s a great deal of suggestion that Maslenitsa predates Christianity; evidence suggests that the tradition dates to the 2nd century CE. The holiday maintains its’ pre-Christian roots quite obviously with the burning of the effigy and petitions for the onset of spring. It’s a fascinating example of how folk religion can develop through the merging of two traditions.

art by Valeriya Marakova

That won't stop me though, I want to be able to worship the gods I'm interested in, it just might be a little harder.