Throughout the former Soviet Union, the 8th of March is International Women's Day. The 9th of March is Maslenitsa (pancake week) which is the beginning of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church. It is also the end of winter.
My friend in Kiev, Stanislava, told me she was awakened by the sun which was peeking into her window early in the morning and by the children singing.
On the morning of March 9th, children gather with their parents and teachers to set afire an effigy of winter that they had made with straw. Amazingly enough, winter ended here on the same day, March 9th. I am glad to see Winter go. Bless the children in Poland, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and Georgia. Bless children everywhere.
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| Burning Lady Maslenitsa |
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