Maslenitsa Festival goes on despite weather
Anya Pickle, 5, partakes in the face painting offered by Ayumi Konishi (left).
By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer
MADISON – The organizers who’ve been hard at work lining up everything for the City of Madison’s Maslenitsa Festival were granted a brief reprieve from the wintry weather for most of the day Saturday, Feb. 21, allowing the event to go on as scheduled at James Clemens High School.
The North Alabama production of Maslenitsa, now in its fourth year, was previously held at the University of Alabama–Huntsville and the Hogan Family YMCA. The festival, which is a religious and folk holiday recognized by East Slavic, is held the weekend after Mardi Gras and hails the beginning of spring.
The nice weather of spring, however, seemed far away during the festival, which was held in the school’s common area and cafeteria.
“The weather, unfortunately, didn’t allow us to have hundreds of people like we were hoping,” Olga Osadcii, chairwoman of the event, said. “But we still, I think, had a good turnout.”
From 10 – 4, guests were treated to an offering of food, music, art, dancing and other pieces of Eastern European culture. A special children’s area, including face painting, aimed to educate the young ones about the holiday and culture surrounding the festival.
“I’m Russian, and I think it’s important to share our culture with those who are interested,” Alexandra Pickle, who attended the event, said.
Pickle was there with Karen Allen, who brought along her young child.
“I would like my daughter to experience other cultures as well,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone was the same?”
The cafeteria tables were arranged to allow dancers from Olga DNZ out of Huntsville to perform for patrons. Art displays and informational posters were in abundance.
A few attendees voiced their opinions on the Ukrainian conflict, but the vast majority refrained from political statements.
“People have their opinions, and they are free to express their opinions here,” Osadcii said, adding that the event aims to promote overall peace and unity.
