ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Thousands of people gathered near the Kremlin in central Moscow this weekend to celebrate Maslenitsa, a traditional festival marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. "Maslenitsa is a family holiday, celebrating the continuity of generations. We celebrate for a whole week, with each day offering something special," said Serafima Pavlovna, head of the Folk Festival Management Department at Moscow municipality. People from across Russia flocked to the venue to celebrate the traditional Slavic festival. Many of them were dressed in bright, colorful outfits, reflecting the joyful atmosphere. "Spring has arrived and we're celebrating this occasion," said Dobrinya Nikitovich, a participant dressed up as a legendary hero from Russian folklore. A key feature of the festival is the abundance of Blini, thin pancakes made from wheat or buckwheat flour. These pancakes symbolize the sun, and are eaten to say goodbye to the cold winter and welcome the warmth of spring. Nadejda, a local, explained, "Before the Great Fast begins, we Orthodox Christians fill up on these pancakes to make fasting easier." This year's Maslenitsa celebrations come amid the ongoing three-year-long war with Ukraine, which has had significant social and economic effects on people in the region and beyond.
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