Russia's Traditional Festival Introduced in Vietnamese High School

Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted (Thai Nguyen City) hosted many meaningful events to introduce Russian cultures to Vietnamese students on the occasion of the Maslenitsa Festival (Feb 20 - 26).
February 22, 2023 | 12:30

Since 1988, in the Russian Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted in Thai Nguyen City, there has been intensive training in the Russian language. There are lessons for knowledge and communication skill improvement, also for enhancing students' understanding of the Russian Federation and its people. To make the lessons more interesting, the teachers of the Russian Department have introduced many new methods into the curriculum. One of them is introducing Russia's traditional festivals to the students.

The Maslenitsa Festival for Winter farewell - Spring Welcome is a traditional festival held in Russia and often lasts for a week. This year's Maslenitsa officially started on February 20 and will last until the end of February 26. The Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted held a lesson for students to understand more about this week-long festival.

Maslenitsa, or Shrovetide, is an ancient Orthodox Christian holiday celebrated in the last week before Orthodox Lent. The festivities -- also known as Pancake Week -- are traditionally celebrated in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and mark the end of winter.

This week-long festival lasts from Monday til Sunday and is divided into two parts. From Monday to Wednesday will be the first half, and the second half is the great festival. Each holiday of the week has its own name and meaning. For example, The second day is called "Meeting", the third day is "Open day", also the start of snow games (skiing, building snow walls...). The fifth-day "Fun" is the beginning of the great Maslenitsa. The sixth day is named "Mother-in-law's happy afternoon" and it is the groom's turn to invite his mother-in-law to his house to taste pancakes. Saturday is the "Sister-in-law's gathering day", the young brides invite their families to their home and together with everyone bring gifts to the sisters on the husband's side.

Sunday - the day "Winter farewell" is the most important holiday. Everyone will gather to burn the Maslenitsa doll to dispel the cold of winter and welcome the return of warm spring.

In this special lesson, students had the opportunity to learn about the origin, meaning, and organization of Maslenitsa week. Instructor Ekaterina Kozulina, a high-school Russian language teacher, hosted the class. She is working in a national program at high schools in Vietnam called the "Russian teachers abroad project").

Đặc sắc tiết học về tuần lễ tiễn mùa đông Maslenitsa của Nga
Ekaterina Kozulina, a high-school Russian language teacher, hosted the class (Photo: Vu Khanh)

“I introduced the festival in class because I thought it would be interesting for students who are new Russian learners. In addition, besides improving your Russian skills, you also need to learn more about the culture, customs and holidays, especially for those who want to study in Russia in the future," said the Russian teacher.

After the lesson, the students participated in traditional games (Maslenitsa hair braiding, passing the rice, musical chairs, snowball throwing...) and dances. They also tried to make fried blinui - the signature dish in Maslenitsa that symbolizes the warm and round sun. This dish is known for its salty and sweet, buttery taste and smell, a perfect winter/spring food when served with honey and jam.

“In Vietnam, there is no winter farewell like in Russia. Thanks to this special class, it helped me understand the meaning and importance of Maslenitsa week, and how Russians say goodbye to winter and to welcome spring. I also learned great things about Russian holidays, the diversity and uniqueness of this country's culture," said Ngo Hoai Thu (a student at Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted).

Pham Thi Huyen, a teacher of Russian at Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted, said: "I hope to have can organize more practical lessons like this, for Russian teachers in particular and lovers of Russian culture in general. Together with Kozulina, we decided to organize this special session to give the students the opportunity to understand more about Russian traditions and culture, as well as nurture their love for Russia."

Đặc sắc tiết học về tuần lễ tiễn mùa đông Maslenitsa của Nga
Students at the Russian Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted (Photo: Vu Khanh).

By applying new methods in teaching the Russian language and culture, Russia's Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted will continue to nurture the future generation of Russian linguists, and contribute to developing a good friendship between the people of the two count.

Hanoi's national high-school examinees brush off torrential rain Hanoi's national high-school examinees brush off torrential rain

Despite the unpleasant weather, many examinees said they were still confident in their test performance

Vietnamese 11th Grader Won Sliver at U16 World Youth Chess Championship Vietnamese 11th Grader Won Sliver at U16 World Youth Chess Championship

Vietnamese chess player Nguyen Hong Nhung tied with 2 other contestants and won Sliver medal at Female U16 World Youth Chess Championship 2022 in Romania. ...

4 High School Students Win World Invention & Creativity Olympic Gold Medals 4 High School Students Win World Invention & Creativity Olympic Gold Medals

On February 5, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted (Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh Province) said that four students of the school had ...

Zoey Nguyễn
Phiên bản di động