Ukraine, Znamenka
ТОВ «Терраконд»

It’s Pancake week!

2015-02-16

On the 16th of February 2015 has the Pancake week began here in Ukraine.

This is the last week before Great fast, dedicated to forgiveness, agreement with close people and preparation to the fast. During this week people rather refuse eating meat, but are still allowed to consume dairy products, including milk, cheese, sour cream and butter.

Traditionally Pancake week is associated with the end of winter, and greeting the spring with its sun, so the pancakes looking like sun are baked in each house.

The whole Pancake week used to be a great festival, each day of which has its own tradition.  On Monday people bake cakes and give them to poor, on Tuesday boys invite girls for snow riding and look for the bride, on Wednesday Mother in Law invites her daughter’s husband for pancakes. On Thursday people all over the country have fun, go outside for snow riding, eat pancakes and greet the spring. On Friday Sons in Law invite their Mothers in Law to visit them back, on Saturday young women treat all their relatives, so they can see she is a good wife.

The last Sunday of the Pancake week is a Forgiven Sunday. Today is the day, when dairy products are not allowed for eating any more.

On the Forgiven Sunday people ask each other to forgive them, and receive an answer: “God forgives you, and so do I.” This is made in order to enter the Great fast with pure soul.