FestRider Photo Blog

“Rusalia”: A Mermaid Festival at the Lake

Lyubino‑Malorossy (Omsk Region)
Full Story: 45 photosQuick Impression: 18 photos
The festival grounds are open to both locals and visitors
Here you can try your hand at traditional games and everyday activities from the past
A wooden disc you made yourself can be decorated with the festival’s symbol by the organizers
But with a helper like this, you’ll definitely hit the target!
Now we braid a little pigtail
Folk songs start sounding spontaneously, straight from the heart
Round dances are an essential part of any folk festival
The lovely girls are almost ready for the final ritual
Some time is always spent explaining the rules to newcomers
You don’t have to be the same age to become spiritual sisters
The wreath embodies the power of nature and adds weight to the actions being performed
As a sign of friendship, you can also exchange flowers through the woven ring
The decorated birch tree symbolizes a mermaid — a figure of dangerous, dark forces
The ceremony itself is also performed by mermaids — girls wearing wreaths and plain, unembroidered shirts
Under the scorching sun, plunging fully into the water is actually quite pleasant
All that remains is wreath divination!
But of course, nowadays it’s not superstition that matters, but the preservation of cultural heritage
Staritsa Lake will witness festive events more than once again

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All photo stories: 27