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CU Russian Club Hosts Celebration of Russian Maslenitsa Holiday

The CU Russian Club hosted an event celebrating the traditional Russian holiday and spring festival of Maslenitsa on March 8 on the university campus. Analogous to the Western traditions of Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, Maslenitsa combines features of Russian folk culture and Orthodox Christianity in heralding the arrival of spring. Professor Laura Olson Osterman introduced participants to Maslenitsa traditions, and proceeded to lead the students in Russian folk songs and circle dances, assisted by fellow Russian faculty member Galina Siergiejcyk. The faculty, students, and community members in attendance also enjoyed Russian blini, kvas, and other traditional foods, and engaged in Maslenitsa games, organized by Russian Club co-directors Ben Lourie and Chloe Toscano. We look forward to celebrating Maslenitsa again with the CU community in the future!

Maslenitsa