Maslenitsa 2019 - Rockefeller Greenhouse in Cleveland
Maslenitsa 2019 Rockefeller Greenhouse in Cleveland
For Russian Cultural Garden March 3, 2019
The Cleveland Russian Cultural Garden hosted its 5th annual Maslenitsa celebration at the Rockefeller Greenhouse.
Maslenitsa has its origins in both pagan and Christian traditions. In Slavic mythology, Maslenitsa is a celebration of the imminent end of the winter. It has been compared to Mardi Gras or Carnival.
The event was also a fund-raiser put on by the Russian Cultural Garden committee. The Russian Cultural Gardens is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting the Russian Heritage and Russian cultural influence in America. The Russian Cultural Garden has a prominent goal of building the Russian Cultural Garden as a part of the Cultural Gardens of Cleveland in the Rockefeller Park. Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/russiangarden.
The event was full of music, games, shopping, auction and Russian food and drink.
The Greater Cleveland Russian Chorus aka the Cuyahoga Cossacks performed this Russian song called Kalinka. Here is video of their performance.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
See more videos of the Cuyahoga Cossacks performing at the 2019 Maslenitsa:
Cuyahoga Cossacks Ron Latare, Michael Pilat, Leon Sheean, John Romanchik and Ken Kovach
Another highlights was the Best Babushka Contest where ladies showed off their favorite babushka.
Best Babushka Contest
The Paprika Dance Ensemble entertained as well.
Paprika Dance Ensemble at Maslenitsa in Cleveland
The food was a major attraction as people enjoyed Blini (pancakes) (maybe with a cup of Caviar), Baranki (pretzels), Pelmeni (dumplings), Sbiten (traditional hot herbal beverage), Petushki (Russian lollipop) and Shashlyk (grilled chicken). Shashlyk is like shish kabob and can be chicken, beef, pork, lamb and even fish. The meat is marinated and put on skewers and grilled on an open flame.
Cooking the Shashlyk
Shashlyk on the grill
Blini
***
Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as this? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.
About a dozen ladies entered their blini recipe for the Best Blini contest.
Bringing out the blini for the judges
Blini Contest judge Ken Kovach presenting a medal
3rd place winner in the Best Blini contest
1st place winner in the Best Blini contest
Throughout the afternoon there were games, music, food and fun such as this group dance around a pole.
Enjoy these other images from the 2019 Maslenitsa Celebration in Cleveland.
Boris Vinogradsky cooking Shashlyk
Svetlana Stolyarova making announcements
City of Cleveland's Ed Rybka enjoying Maslenitsa
Maslenitsa volunteers
Maslenitsa volunteer
Maslenitsa volunteer
Maslenitsa volunteer
Aleksandr Elesev, Svetlana Stolyarova and Dr. Boris Vinogradsky
Cuyahoga Cossacks guarding the prizes
All ages enjoyed Maslenitsa
Dressed for Maslenitsa
Congratulations to the leaders of the Russian Cultural Garden and the Maslenitsa committee for a terrific event.
***
Stay informed about the local Russian community by signing up for the free Russian eNews mailings. You can select other groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free Russian eNews.
