Tjedan prije Velikog posta od davnina se u Ukrajini nazivao Masnica, Masljana, Siropust, Kolodij, Babi tjedan. Drevni praznik s protoslavenskim korijenima prethodi početku posta prije Uskrsa. Kao karnevali u zemljama Zapadne Europe, Masnica, ukrajinski karneval, pružala je priliku za odmor i uživanje u hrani, za oproštaj od duge zime u iščekivanju proljeća.

Tradicije proslave Masnice

Cijeli ovaj tjedan bio je posvećen veselju. Ljudi su se okupljali u posjetima, nisu izbjegavali krčme, vozili su se saonicama, častili se raznim likerima i jelima. Zanimljivo je da su upravo na Masnicu u središtu proslava – udane žene. Obično su u tradicionalnim proslavama najviše uključeni mladi. Na Babi tjedan upravo odrasle žene se zabavljaju, primaju darove, a od muškaraca se očekuje popustljivost prema ženskim hirovima.

Tradicionalna poslastica

Masnica je vrijeme prije posta kada se još smiju konzumirati mlijeko i sir. Stoga za ukrajinski stol središnje jelo postaju vareniki. Vareniki sa sirom, pite sa sirom, složenci sa sirom, kaše s mlijekom, sirniki, kao i palačinke. Sva se jela poslužuju s maslacem, medom, džemom. Ne izbjegavaju se ni slana riba i kavijar.

Protoslavenski Kolodij

Posebna drevna tradicija u proslavi su rituali s cjepanicom. Vjeruje se da naziv Kolodij potječe od imena pradavnog božanstva, zaštitnika obitelji i sloge. Cjepanica, dio debla ili grane drveta, ukrašava se vrpcama, papirnatim cvijećem itd. Lijepu malu cjepanicu djevojka može pokloniti dečku koji joj se sviđa. Druge cjepanice udane žene pričvršćuju za noge mladih ljudi koji još nisu pronašli partnera. Da ne bi vukli cjepanicu za sobom, moraju se otkupiti darovima, novcem, likerima ili ogrlicama.

Nedjelja oprosta

Prekrasan i životvorni ritual Siropusnog tjedna je nedjelja oprosta. Proslave završavaju uzajamnim ispričavanjem. Rođaci i prijatelji ispričavaju se jedni drugima za sve uvrede i neugodnosti koje su se mogle dogoditi tijekom protekle godine.

Moderna proslava

S obzirom na bogatu povijest i različite osobitosti geografskih regija Ukrajine, tradicije proslave Masnice vrlo su raznolike. Bez obzira na to peče li netko palačinke ili pravi varenike, ispraća zimu ili dočekuje proljeće, sve ujedinjuje radost novog početka. Radost očekivanog novog života.

Masnytsia: The Ukrainian Carnival

The week before the Great Lent has long been called Masnytsia, Maslyana, Syropust, Kolodiy, or Baba’s Week in Ukraine. This ancient holiday with Proto-Slavic roots precedes the beginning of fasting before Easter. Like carnivals in Western European countries, Masnytsia, the Ukrainian carnival, provided an opportunity to relax, enjoy food, and bid farewell to the long winter in anticipation of spring.

Masnytsia Celebration Traditions

The entire week was dedicated to merriment. People gathered to visit each other, frequented taverns, went sledding, and enjoyed various liqueurs and dishes. Interestingly, it was during Masnytsia that married women were at the center of the celebrations. Usually, traditional celebrations mostly involve young people. During Baba’s Week, adult women were the ones who had fun, received gifts, and men were expected to be lenient towards women’s whims.

Traditional Treats

Masnytsia is the time before Lent when milk and cheese can still be consumed. Therefore, varenyky become the central dish for the Ukrainian table. Varenyky with cottage cheese, cheese pies, cheese casseroles, milk porridges, syrniki, as well as pancakes and crepes. All dishes are served with butter, honey, and jam. They also enjoy salted fish and caviar.

Proto-Slavic Kolodiy

A separate ancient tradition in the celebration involves rituals with a log. It is believed that the name Kolodiy comes from the name of an ancient deity, the patron of family and harmony. The log, a part of a trunk or tree branch, is decorated with ribbons, paper flowers, etc. A beautiful small log can be presented by a girl to a boy she likes. Other logs are attached by married women to the legs of young men who have not yet found a partner. To avoid dragging the log, they have to pay off with gifts, money, liqueurs, or necklaces.

Forgiveness Sunday

A beautiful and life-affirming ritual of Syropust Week is Forgiveness Sunday. The festivities conclude with mutual forgiveness. Relatives and friends apologize to each other for all the offenses and troubles that may have occurred during the past year.

Modern Celebration

Given the rich history and various peculiarities of the geographical regions of Ukraine, the traditions of celebrating Masnytsia are very diverse. Regardless of whether someone bakes pancakes or makes varenyky, sees off winter or welcomes spring, everyone is united by the joy of a new beginning. The joy of the expected new life.