The tradition, which has been ongoing for 13 years, includes concerts, sports competitions, folk round dances, and pancakes. A central element of the celebration is the burning of the Winter effigy, symbolizing farewell to the winter cold and the joyful arrival of spring.
The city's youth actively participated in competitions to music. They competed in tug-of-war and playful pillow fights, where the winner was the one who stayed on their feet.
The main feature of the festival was a six-meter tall Winter effigy made from 10 meters of timber, 30 meters of fabric, and 10 bales of straw. According to unofficial data, this is the tallest Maslenitsa effigy in the country.
The burning of the effigy became the climax of the festival, and children with their parents danced around the bonfire, shouting: "Burn, burn brightly, so that it doesn't go out!"
Forgiven Sunday, coinciding with the last day of Maslenitsa week, became a day of reconciliation, when festival participants asked each other for forgiveness.
More than 20 types of pancakes were presented at the festival, which, according to gourmets, had a magnificent taste. However, the most attention was drawn to the colorful pancakes offered by Lydia Blokhina.
"I used natural dyes, such as carrots and beets, as well as culinary dyes used for cakes. The fillings were also diverse—from custard condensed milk to fish and meat minced meat," Lydia shared.
Many buyers noted that the color of the pancakes highlighted the taste of the fillings, adding a special touch to this traditional dish. Lydia Filippovna is not only a cook but also an outstanding educator in the Kyrgyz Republic, teaching at Lyceum No. 102 in Kara-Balta.
