Strinennia, Slavic holiday of Spring

Today is an old Slavic holiday. On this day, clay larks were made; their heads were covered with honey and decorated with tinsel and they were carried around the village by revellers who sang vesnjanki, invocations to spring.

Pastries shaped like birds were baked, and given to children who threw them into the air while saying "The rooks have come". Pastries were sometimes tied to poles in the garden. The baking of these pastries would ensure that the birds would return, for it is they who bring back the spring.

Categories: calendar-customs