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Maslenitsa festival to be held on February 16-22.

12.02.2026 11:11

From February 16 to February 22, Vologda will host the Maslenitsa festival as a part of the Winter in the Russian North project.

The residents and guests will have a chance to take part in master classes, sports competitions, interactive events and enjoy music concerts and stage performances inspired by folk tales.

Maslenitsa is becoming a mainstay of Vologda's holiday calendar. The authorities of the Vologda Region invite all the residents of the region and guests to take part in entertainment activities accompanied by pancakes, fun songs, games, feast fighting and sledging.

Blini (Russian pancakes) are essential to the celebration of Maslenitsa. Said to symbolize the sun - being warm, round, and golden - they are an appropriate warning to the lingering cold weather. Blini are given to friends and family all through the week.

The festival will finish with the traditional burning of Lady Maslenitsa straw effigy as the final act of saying good-bye to the already passed winter.