KFU employees bid farewell to winter in traditional Maslenitsa celebration
University trade union held an event for employees at the Engelhardt Observatory in the suburb of Kazan.
As the Head of the HR Department Artur Galimov said, Maslenitsa is not just a border between winter and spring, but a reason to get together and have fun with colleague.
Everyone entertained themselves on this day: the visitors competed in tug-of-war and in a contest for the most beautiful pancake. Sled races, active games and dances were organized for the little guests. In addition, a fascinating thematic tour of the observatory and local museums was held for everyone.
鈥淲e are very glad that Maslenitsa has been held on our territory for several years now. Many guests always come who are interested in getting acquainted with the observatory. The festival itself is organized wonderfully,鈥� said Yuri Nefedyev, Professor of the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy and the Research Director of the Engelhardt Observatory.
鈥淲e are participating in Maslenitsa for the first time. We really like to charge children and their parents with energy and mood and receive a return in the form of happy smiles,鈥� shared student volunteer Adelina Arslanova.
A field kitchen was an innovation of this year. Students of the Kazan Tank Command Academy treated everyone to a famous buckwheat meal. Naturally, bliny (pancakes), the main Maslenitsa delicacy, also abounded.
As is the tradition, the festival culminated with an effigy burning ritual. The effigy – the eponymous Maslenitsa – is the symbol of the outgoing winter.
The next six weeks for Russian Orthodox Christians are the Great Lent, leading to the Easter – this year on 20 April.