Carnival is known as Butter Week or Maslenitsa in Russia because Russians consume so many rich foods throughout this week, the last before the Lenten fast. Bliny, Russian-style pancakes served with sour cream or butter, are eaten all week long and have come to symbolize the feast. In many areas people enjoy winter sports such as sledding, ice skating, and snowball fights. In some places people mark the end of Carnival by making huge hand-sewn dolls that represent winter and tossing them onto burning bonfires. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary