13 march / 2019
•
Traditional Russian Festival of Maslenitsa (Pancake Week) at JNU
On March 6, Jawaharlal Nehru University with the support of the Russian Embassy in India and Eurasian Foundation (India) held a celebration of Maslenitsa (Butter or Pancake Week). Following an old tradition students and teachers of the Russian Embassy secondary school, Russian compatriots and diplomats took part in the winter season farewell festivity in New Delhi along with students and professors of the University. Among the guests of honour were Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra, JNU Rector I, Prof. R.N. Menon, President of the Indian Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature (INDAPRYAL), Prof. Ranjana Banerjee, Chairperson of the JNU Centre of Russian Studies (CRS), Mr Anatoly Kargapolov, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian diplomatic mission.<br />
In his speech Mr Anatoly Kargapolov highlighted the similarity of many Indian and Russian traditions, including the celebration of Maslenitsa in Russia and Holi in India, praised the level of Russian culture and language knowledge among the students of the University, wished every success in their studies and expressed hope that they will contribute to the rapprochement of our countries’ peoples and strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation.<br />
As part of the program, the participants paid tribute to the late famous russist Prof. Arun Mohanty who initiated holding Maslenitsa festivities at the University more than ten years ago.<br />
The guests of the event enjoyed fiery Russian folk dances executed by the Embassy school. The JNU students performed several Russian dances, Ptitsa Schastya (Blue Bird of Happiness) and Katyusha songs, recited poetry by Alexander Pushkin. Many people on this sunny spring day could not resist the temptation to take part in Maslenitsa entertainments such as tug-of-war, jumping in bags and through the rope, pillow fights, improvised skiing and, of course, enjoyed the pancakes and other Russian treats.<br />
On-the-spot report was published on the Embassy accounts in Facebook and Twitter.<br />
In his speech Mr Anatoly Kargapolov highlighted the similarity of many Indian and Russian traditions, including the celebration of Maslenitsa in Russia and Holi in India, praised the level of Russian culture and language knowledge among the students of the University, wished every success in their studies and expressed hope that they will contribute to the rapprochement of our countries’ peoples and strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation.<br />
As part of the program, the participants paid tribute to the late famous russist Prof. Arun Mohanty who initiated holding Maslenitsa festivities at the University more than ten years ago.<br />
The guests of the event enjoyed fiery Russian folk dances executed by the Embassy school. The JNU students performed several Russian dances, Ptitsa Schastya (Blue Bird of Happiness) and Katyusha songs, recited poetry by Alexander Pushkin. Many people on this sunny spring day could not resist the temptation to take part in Maslenitsa entertainments such as tug-of-war, jumping in bags and through the rope, pillow fights, improvised skiing and, of course, enjoyed the pancakes and other Russian treats.<br />
On-the-spot report was published on the Embassy accounts in Facebook and Twitter.<br />
