Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maslenitsa
Akin to Mardi Gras, this celebration kicks off Orthodox Lent and involves eating lots
of bliny. Exact dates depend on the dates of Orthodox Easter, but it is usually in
February or early March.
March
You can still expect snow on the ground, though in warmer years March can
also see the beginning of the thaw.
International Women's Day
Russia's favourite holiday - 8 March - was founded to honour the women's move-
ment. These days, men buy champagne, flowers and chocolates for their better halves
- and for all the women in their lives.
April
Finally the thaw comes, but you might prefer snow to the grey slush that can en-
gulf the city in April! Orthodox Easter and the Mariinsky Ballet Festival brighten
the scene, however.
Easter
Easter Sunday kicks off with celebratory midnight services in which churches are
jam-packed. Afterwards, people eat special dome-shaped cakes known as
kulichy
and
exchange beautifully painted wooden Easter eggs.
Mariinsky Ballet Festival
The city's principal dance theatre hosts a week-long international festival, where the
cream of Russian ballet dancers showcase their talents.
