Maslenitsa festival celebration event held at SMBU

Students and faculty of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU) celebrated the traditional Maslenitsa festival March 2, a vibrant Eastern European event marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

The lively celebration, held at its campus in Longgang District, featured blini (pancakes) and a colorful program filled with dance performances, handicrafts, drawing, and interactive games, which not only showcased the rich heritage of Russia but also fostered friendship and cultural exchange on campus.  

Liza Bakueva (R), a Russian freshman majoring in Oriental studies, is handing out pieces of paper featuring a sun shape at the event site. Photos by Wang Jingli except otherwise stated

Liza Bakueva, a Russian freshman majoring in Oriental studies, was handing out pieces of paper featuring a sun shape at the event site. She enthusiastically encouraged visitors to participate in activities and collect stamps on the papers to win a gift.

“I am happy to be part of this event. It’s a great opportunity for cultural exchange, where we can share the history of the festival. Celebrating with Chinese friends this year gives me a special feeling,” said Bakueva.  

Participants line up to try blini which is the traditional pancake for Maslenitsa festival. Courtesy of SMBU

A long queue formed at the blini booth, where Vladislava Grekova, a sophomore studying International Economics, and her friends enjoyed the traditional pancakes. “Blini or pancake is a huge important part of the festival. The food is cooked and offered here in the same way as it is in Russia, making me feel at home immediately. I also love that the event is held outdoors with so many interesting activities,” Grekova shared. She also explained another Maslenitsa tradition—burning a straw doll to bid farewell to winter.  

Participants use spoons to create a performance. 

The festival also attracted Chinese students, including Yu Di, a freshman who experienced Maslenitsa for the first time. “I learned about the festival in class, but being here in person is a great way to feel the culture and meet new friends. The atmosphere is amazing, and this is exactly why I chose SMBU,” Yu said.  

Faculty members and their families also joined the celebrations. Alexander Lyapin, a professor at SMBU, expressed his delight at celebrating Maslenitsa in China.

“Actually, I haven’t celebrated the festival seriously in a long time. I used to celebrate the festival in a simple way and then return to work. It’s wonderful to celebrate it here in China. Since I’ve only been here for two weeks, I hope to incorporate some Chinese traditions into the festival,” said Lyapin.

Students perform to celebrate Maslenitsa festival March 2. Courtesy of SMBU

The festival, celebrated from February 24 to March 2 this year, is a vibrant, week-long festival marking the joyful transition from winter to spring. It’s a time filled with laughter, gatherings, and delicious food.

SMBU is the first Sino-Russian cooperative university built on the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Currently, there are over 400 Russian students studying at SMBU, according to the university.