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PANCAKE WEEK IN RUSSIA - Typically Russian "madness".

Do you know what our forefathers did duringin the Pancake week?
Our forefathers considered the Pancake week, the week preceding the Lent, the merriest festive gathering. These were days of gluttony and revelry. All seven days of the Pancake week were accurately assigned - what, how and for whom to do.
On Monday they met the Pancake week - made a man of straw and placed it on the highest hill. All the week the man of straw had to remain there to determine from what side spring would come. On this day they began to bake pancakes, and the first one was always given to beggars for them to pray for the dead.
On Tuesday eligible bachelors invited girls to sledge down the hills. If one of them liked a girl, they went to her house where they were treated to pancakes and the girl was announced a bride.
On Wednesday mothers-in-law treated their sons-in-law to pancakes. Sons-in-law had to eat as much as possible and to praise her art of pancake-making.
Thursday was the middle of the feast! Dancing, singing, troika-riding (three horses harnessed abreast), fisticuffs, skomorokhs (wandering minstrel-cum-clown) and, of course - pancakes.
On Friday sons-in-law had to treat mothers-in-law to pancakes.
On Saturday daughters-in-law had to invite husband's relatives to her house for them to see if she is a good house-wife.
Sunday was called "a forgiving day". The man of straw was burnt. In the evening all asked to forgive each other. They tried not to eat much - got ready for the Lent.

During the Pancake week in our city there will be a lot of gatherings, there will be plenty of pancakes in every family. But not all adhere to traditions of our forefathers.