The name SHROVETIDE is due to the fact that in the week before Lent, meat products were excluded from the diet, but dairy products could still be consumed, as well as traditional ingredients for making pancakes: milk, eggs, sour cream.

SHROVETIDE in Ukraine: what was cooked that day🍯🥞
According to one version, dumplings were cooked at SHROVETIDE in Ukraine, since this has long been a Ukrainian ritual dish. Of course, dumplings are historically more popular ritual dish for Ukrainians.

The most popular entertainments that used to be arranged in the villages were:

• fisticuffs
• eating pancakes for a while;
• Sledging;
• climbing a pole for a prize;
• games with a bear;
• burning a scarecrow;
• swimming in ice holes.

What Not to Do on a Holiday❌

On a holiday, do not give up treats and pancakes. It is believed that the first pancake eaten can give health for a whole year.
Despite the fact that SHROVETIDE is a gastronomic holiday, it is better not to overeat. Give preference to dairy dishes, not meat.
Of course, you can not swear, quarrel, conflict and slander.
It is forbidden to be bored and sit at home, it is customary to celebrate the holiday cheerfully with family and friends.
Also, you can not receive guests if the house is not cleaned.

How to celebrate SHROVETIDE by day🍯🥞

🔸Monday - "Meeting". On this day, food is prepared for the festive tables, pancakes are baked with various fillings. The first pancake is given to the poor so that they commemorate the souls of deceased relatives. On this day, a scarecrow is made of straw in a woman's dress and placed in the center of a village or city until the end of SHROVETIDE.

🔸Tuesday - "Flirting". On this day, olive festivities unfold - people ride downhill on sleds, on carousels, arrange performances. But the main rituals are connected with matchmaking - young people go to the show and choose their future couple. It was believed that if you woo a bride on SHROVETIDE, then the wedding will be soon after the end of the fast.

🔸 Wednesday - "Gourmet". On this day, they go for pancakes to their mother-in-law. Housewives invite their sons-in-law to a festive dinner and treat them to pancakes, pies and other dishes. This day was considered a good occasion to improve relations in the family, make friends and express gratitude.

🔸Thursday - "Walk around". From this day the Wide SHROVETIDE begins. It was forbidden to work until the end of the week, but you can already have fun to the fullest. On such days, they began to hold fisticuffs, contests, competitions, led round dances, sang songs and danced. They also gathered in large companies at a common table.

🔸Friday - Mother-in-law's parties. On this day, mothers-in-law pay a visit to their son-in-law. He invites her to visit and treats her with pancakes of his own preparation. According to folk signs, it was believed that if these rituals were performed exactly, the relationship between mother-in-law and son-in-law would be ideal.

🔸Saturday - "Sister-in-law gatherings". On this day, the husband's relatives come to visit their son and daughter-in-law. The hostess bakes pancakes and treats her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Relatives usually give a daughter-in-law a gift on this day to show her special favor

🔸Sunday - Forgiveness. On this day, it is customary to ask for forgiveness and forgive. It is important to spend this day with good thoughts and mood, repent of your sins and enter Great Lent with a pure soul and conscience. On Sunday evenings, festivities were organized, where they saw off the winter and burned the stuffed SHROVETIDE.