The last winter holiday is called Maslenitsa (Literally : Buttery week.) People are saying ‘Good bye’ to the long Russian winter and look forward to welcome the spring.

During this week the main food is bliny – Russian pancakes - eaten with caviar, honey or sour cream. Pancakes symbolize the sun - warm and golden and they are sold everywhere.

If the city has a river, the last day of Maslenitsa will be celebrated on the icy surface of the river with troika (harnessed horses) riding, sledding, puppet theatres, competitions, building fortresses out of the snow and other fun activities.

The culmination of the celebration is burning Lady Maslenitsa (scarecrow of winter) on the last day of Maslenitsa.