People during a celebration of Maslenitsa festival (Pancake Week) at VDNKh in Moscow, Russia on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo by Artyom Geodakyan/TASS)





Students of the General Yermolov Cadet School eat pancakes during celebrations of Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, a pagan holiday marking the end of winter, in the southern city of Stavropol, Russia on February 29, 2020. (Photo by Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters)





People storm a snow fortress during the celebrations of Maslenitsa or Shrovetide close to the village of Khlyupino, some 60 km outside Moscow on March 1, 2020. Shrovetide or Maslenitsa is an ancient farewell ceremony to winter, traditionally celebrated in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine and involves the burning of a large effigy. (Photo by Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP Photo)





People compete during the celebrations of Maslenitsa or Shrovetide close to the village of Khlyupino, some 60 km outside Moscow on March 1, 2020. Shrovetide or Maslenitsa is an ancient farewell ceremony to winter, traditionally celebrated in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine and involves the burning of a large effigy. (Photo by Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP Photo)





Girls play with fighting sacks on a bench during Maslenitsa celebrations in the town of Suzdal (200km from Moscow), Russia, 29 February 2020. The Maslenitsa festival, which originates from Slavic mythology, takes place this year from 24 February to 01 March. It is usually celebrated in the last week before the Great Lent. (Photo by Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA/EFE)





Effigies of Lady Maslenitsa are seen with a Stalin’s era skyscraper in the background during celebrations of Maslenitsa, also known as Pancake Week, a pagan holiday marking the end of winter, in central Moscow, Russia on February 25, 2020. (Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)





A woman selling effigies of winter during a celebration of Maslenitsa festival (Pancake Week) at the Etnomir (Ethnoworld) cultural and educational center in Kaluga Region, Russia on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo by Sergei Bobylev/TASS)





A performer wearing a mask dances and entertains the public during the Shrovetide Spring festival, near the Kremlin, in Moscow on February 24, 2020. Shrovetide or Maslenitsa is an ancient farewell ceremony to winter, traditionally celebrated in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine and involves the burning of a large effigy. (Photo by Yuri Kadobnov/AFP Photo)





Burning an effigy of winter during a celebration of Maslenitsa festival (Pancake Week) at the Guslitsa Art Estate in Moscow Region, Russia on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS)





People carry a figure representing the Lady Maslenitsa during the Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) festival at the Suoranda hills outside St. Petersburg, Russia, 01 March 2020. (Photo by Anatoly Maltsev/EPA/EFE)





Costumed actresses wear antiviral masks while attending the Maslenitsa Festival in Moscow, Russia, 28 February 2020. The festival, which originates from Slavic mythology, runs from 24 February to 01 March 2020. (Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA/EFE)





A figure of an elephant covered with pancakes is seen on display during celebrations of Maslenitsa, also known as Pancake Week, which is a pagan holiday marking the end of winter, in Stavropol, Russia on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters)





Burning effigies of winter during a celebration of Maslenitsa festival (Pancake Week) at the Etnomir (Ethnoworld) cultural and educational center in Kaluga Region, Russia on March 1, 2020. The holiday celebrates the end of winter and marks the arrival of spring. (Photo by Sergei Bobylev/TASS)





Artists and guests perform a traditional round dance at the Maslenitsa celebrations in the town of Suzdal (200km from Moscow), Russia, 29 February 2020. (Photo by Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA/EFE)