Maslenitsa

Going through my recent photos I realised I had not spoken about Maslentisa at school last week. Maslenitsa is the lead into Lent for the orthodox church with celebrations all week, centred around pancakes. It is also a much older celebration trying to send winter away and welcoming spring - pancakes are the same colour and shape as the sun.

At school we had the pony and cart rides (look back to 2010 for photos) and pancakes (blini) on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday saw us out in the playground having fun in the snow. Catherine had the children pulling tug of war, Cathy finding buried treasure (plastic toys), Emma had them building snow castles and I made an obstacle course using two climbing frames. Here we are.

Just before lunch we had a special Maslenitsa assembly led by Natalia. The Russian children dressed in traditional costumes if possible. It started with some of the Russian teachers singing a traditional song.

The reception girls were invited to make a fire and then the tradition is to jump over it, so Natalia and Svetlana helped them to jump over the fire to bring the spring.

I sadly had to leave the hall to take a phone call and missed the rest but there were songs and poems in Russian and English. It was one of the best Maslenitsa assemblies we have had and the children really enjoyed it.