On February 26, Maslenitsa (Pancake) festivities were held in the campus of Saratov State University, organised by the SSU Council of Undergraduates and Postgraduates together with all units of the university.
The audience was greeted by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Organisational Work Anton Golovchenko and Chair of the Council Vladislav Bykov. The vice-rector wished the guests a good time. And Vlad announced a contest for the biggest and most creative pancake and the best festive programme.
Representatives of the units of the university prepared festive tables and entertainment. Every college, faculty, and institute wanted to please the guests with something special.
The activists of the Faculty of Pedagogical and Special Needs Education treated the audience with gingerbread and lollipops and told the audience about the Maslenitsa traditions. The Institute of Arts surprised with colourful pancakes, and the Institute of Philology and Journalism prepared pancakes in the form of a portrait of Pushkin. The Institute of Chemistry offered several types of homemade jam, and the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Language Teaching Methods and the Institute of History and International Relations offered many types of pastries in addition to the main dish of the holiday. The Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics offered to try edible gears, and the Institute of Physics baked pancakes right on the street and made tea in a real Russian samovar.
The Faculty of Law made a pancake cake in the form of a doll's dress, and the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technologies arranged a “wheel of fortune” in which it was possible to win a pancake with an unusual filling: cottage cheese, chocolate chips, and not only. The College of Radioelectronics treated not only pancakes, but also sweets with tea. The Sweet Milk student magazine invited guests to draw a picture with sweet milk and eat their sweet masterpiece.
The students who performed on that day sang traditional Maslenitsa songs and ditties, dressed up in Russian folk costumes, shared the history of the holiday, taught how to make dolls and burn wood. Other student councils did not lag behind. The Institute of History and International Relations held a jousting tournament and folk festivals. The Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics invited guests in unusual mechanical costumes, and the Faculty of Geography performed songs and dances.
The activists of the Council organised a team competition where it was possible to win Maslenitsa stickers and certificates for an interesting pastime. Groups of four people or more could take part in the quest. They had to go through all the interactive stations: “gorodki”, “sack race”, “tug of war”, “nail pickers”, “the main thing is to hit the target”, as well as answer questions about the history of the holiday.
Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Organisational Work Anton Golovchenko shared his emotions and festive mood. ‘I really liked the event today. Our students are great. Maslenitsa is not only about songs and dances, but also about culture and traditions. It is very good that our students have creatively organised their sites. It was nice to try hot pancakes. This is a very cool and necessary tradition that unites students of Saratov State University!’
At the end of the event, Vladislav Bykov announced the results of the contest. The biggest pancake was made by the Institute of Arts, and the most creative – the Institute of Philology and Journalism. In the competition for the best table decoration, the third place was taken by the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics and the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Language Teaching Methods, the second place was taken by the Institute of Physics, and the winners became the students of the Institute of History and International Relations.
Maria Chevtayeva, a student of the Institute of History and International Relations, shared her impressions. ‘Despite the rainy weather, it was very warm in the square in SSU. A lot of people have come up to our table. It was so nice! We treated everyone who came to say ‘good-bye’ to the winter with delicious pancakes with various fillings, hot and fragrant tea straight from the samovar, and bagels. I am glad that our efforts were not in vain and our Institute took the first place!’
Julia Barayeva, a student of the Faculty of Psychology, noted that everyone missed the Maslenitsa festivities. ‘The last time Maslenitsa was held like that was in 2020. And the fact that it took place this year cannot but please. Maslenitsa at SSU is a special atmosphere. Samovar, pancakes, knight fights, games, quests, and most importantly – a good mood – allowed you to immerse yourself in the holiday and enjoy a wonderful day.’
You can see how Maslenitsa was celebrated at SSU in the Look Around section.
