In the pre-Christian era, Maslenitsa week was timed to coincide with the day of the vernal equinox, which meant the onset of a new agricultural year and the renewal of nature. From pagan times, the rite of burning an effigy of Maslenitsa, which in ancient times personified a dying and resurrecting deity associated with fertility, also came to us. The ashes of the effigy, dedicated to the earth, were supposed to magically transfer this fertility to the soil and thereby help nature to flourish. Interestingly, pancakes, which are now the main attribute of Maslenitsa, were part of the memorial ritual and were not endowed with certain symbols.

Each day of Maslenitsa week has its own interesting name and traditions associated with it. Of these traditions in modern Russia, of course, pancakes and visiting relatives have been preserved. Orthodox believers at the end of Maslenitsa week break their fast before the beginning of the strictest lent.

Representatives of different peoples with different national cultures and diverse national customs study at Southern Federal University. They told how the arrival of spring is celebrated in their countries.

Various carnivals in Europe, such as the Venetian, are the Catholic version of the Maslenitsa festivities. Alessia Brugnoli, student at SFedU International Institute for Interdisciplinary Education and Ibero-American Studies, said that in Venice, Italy, spring is celebrated brightly and cheerfully. People put on masks and costumes, arrange theatrical and concert performances, competitions and games, and in the evening solemnly burn an effigy. The Venice Carnival and Maslenitsa in Russia have a common essence: to celebrate the eve of Lent. That is, this holiday is celebrated before fasting and lasts 18 days. The noisiest celebrations take place on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2022, the celebration fell on the period from February 12 to March 1. Tourists from different countries come to this event. Most visitors arrive on the last carnival weekend from Fat Thursday (Giovedi Grasso) to Shrove Tuesday (Martedi Grasso) when the best events take place. A traditional carnival dish is Frittelle, or pancakes that look like a fried donut.

The Indian festival of colors Holi also marks the arrival of spring and lasts for several days. Celebrated in late February - early March. According to Sardar Shahid Abdul Kalam, a student at SFedU International Institute for Interdisciplinary Education and Ibero-American Studies, this holiday is eagerly awaited in order to have plenty of fun and taste delicious dishes with family and friends. People smear each other with colorful paints and pour water over each other. The celebration of Holi begins the morning after the burning of the effigy of Holika, after whom the celebration was named. People believe that the fire helps to drive away the cold and evil spirits left after the winter. The holiday itself is associated with the legend of King Hiranyakasipu, who imagined himself to be a god. His son Prahlad did not worship him. Then the king decided to kill the rebellious young man, instructing his sister Holika to throw him into the fire. As a result, the villain Holika burned down at the stake, and Prahlad himself got out of the fire unharmed. This indicated that Prahlad was protected by the Lord due to his devotion. Thus, people began to celebrate Holi as the victory of good over evil.

Novruz - literally "New Day" - the beginning of spring according to the astronomical solar calendar among the Turkic and Iranian peoples. It is celebrated on the days of the vernal equinox. Nosrati Mehrdad, an Iranian student of SFedU International Institute for Interdisciplinary Education and Ibero-American Studies, said that spring is the first season for the people of Iran. Also, spring is one of the most beautiful names for girls. This word means a lot to them, because this is a period of freshness of everything, but this word also means hope and light, tenderness and beauty.

Jafarov Farid Yolchu oglu, a student from Azerbaijan, says that traditionally Novruz is celebrated in a big way, generously, as it is believed that this affects the well-being of the coming year. The main dish of the festive table on this day is not pancakes, but pilaf and sweet pastries. On Novruz, it is customary to jump over a fire (“tongal”) in order to get rid of negativity and move on to a new stage of life clean. It is also customary to tell fortunes, to hold games in the form of a competition of roosters and a battle of “pahlavans” (heroes). In this, one can find similarities with the celebration of Maslenitsa in Russia.

Vepa Gurbanov, a student at SFedU International Institute for Interdisciplinary Education and Ibero-American Studies, says that in Turkmenistan, the holiday of the arrival of spring is a state holiday. It also symbolizes the beginning of the sowing season, so a tree planting event is held before this holiday. Everyone, including the head of state himself, takes part in it. The main dish on this day is "semen", which is prepared from germinated wheat seeds. Also, festive concerts and events are held in the cities and regions of the country, where you can see fun national games, performances, dances, fairs, which present handicrafts: skullcaps, carpets, painted pots.

The staff of Southern Federal University congratulates all students and staff on the coming of spring. Let this time become a time of change, bright emotions and fresh feelings!