Shrovetide, also known as Maslenitsa, is an old traditional Slavic festival celebrated in Russia during the last week before Lent. As one of the oldest and most joyful holidays in Slavic tradition, Maslenitsa is a time for Russians to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring. Popular activities during Maslenitsa include eating pancakes with caviar or jam and berries, playing folk instruments, singing, dancing, riding troikas, having snowball fights, and burning a scarecrow that symbolizes the end of winter.