Say Goodbye to Winter, Say Hello to Pancakes
In a quiet Omsk neighborhood, Winter Farewell came alive in a big way: the refreshed team of the local Cultural Center launched their first large-scale outdoor event. The air was filled with music, laughter, and the irresistible scent of pancakes. The highlight? A collective effort that produced more than 2,000 pumpkin pancakes — a feat that landed the community in the Russian Gastronomic Book of Records.
On the Square
The square in front of the Cultural Center is the region’s main weekend attraction
Residents of Krutaya Gorka neighborhood gathered here, along with guests from the “mainland” part of Omsk
Round dances start up spontaneously, even before the official program begins
Children are especially drawn to the big, cheerful folk festivities
The Cultural Сenter’s artist depicted the key Maslenitsa scenes in his own distinctive style
The colorful photo zones are busy every single minute
The Tea Alley of Russia’s Peoples is a special educational spot
For example, here we can find ivan‑tea, a historic Russian drink, and mouthwatering sweets
Uzbek treats are also on display, served with green tea kok‑choy — a symbol of hospitality
Pumpkin Pancakes
Meet Vera Zhilina, an entrepreneur and the contender for the culinary record
Today, she aims to bake 2,026 pumpkin pancakes using her grandmother’s recipe
It will take several hours and relies on the support of Krutaya Gorka community
Members of local public organizations take turns putting on aprons to help
The work goes smoothly
Not even the persistent smoke can make them stop baking the fragrant pancakes
Among the helpers are also some honored guests of the festival
One of them is Dmitry Perminov, Senator from Omsk Region and Hero of Russia
Yulia Litvinenko, Vice President of Chefs Team Russia association, is keeping count of the pancakes
Experienced journalist Dinara Shamets asks Vera Zhilina about the details of the process
The story about the record will air on the federal TV channel “Culture”…
…and introduce viewers to the support team behind this gastronomic idea
Concert and Round Dances
While the pancakes are baking, a festive concert kicks off nearby
The first part features performances by creative groups from Krutaya Gorka
Despite the frosty weather, the square is packed to the brim
Oleg Fedorenko, Director of the City Department of Culture, greets the crowd
He’s joined by Svetlana Studenikina, a deputy of the City Council
Senator Dmitry Perminov also takes the floor
Like any true folk holiday, Winter Farewell brings people together
On this day, everyone sings along to the familiar, beloved songs
Smiles and applause are the best way to show appreciation for the artists
For a moment, the square falls quiet — there’s an issue with the electricity
But that’s definitely no reason to stop the concert!
Folk performers know how to be heard even without sound amplification
On the spur of the moment, another round dance forms
Entertainers are expected to be resourceful and creative
There we go — the technical issues are fixed, and the fun can continue as planned :)
High school students from Krutaya Gorka appear in gypsy costumes
The flaring skirts are a signature move of this choreographic style
Improvisation to engage the audience is a key tradition of gypsy dance
The program continues with new acts designed for winter performances
The artists uphold the city’s status as the Cultural Capital of Russia in 2026
Lively songs and ditties remind everyone of the holiday’s roots
As they bid farewell to winter, the schoolgirls don’t just sing and dance
They tell a story through a full theatrical performance
Its climax is the appearance of the gentle spring sun
Traditional Pancakes
Let’s take a look at how the parking area near the Cultural Center is being used today
Every square centimeter of the long table is decorated to perfection
We have to thank the local community for the variety of baked goods and the festive decor
The activists aren’t planning to wait until the hundreds of pumpkin pancakes are cooked and counted
They’ll start serving their own treats to guests in just a few minutes
And in the meantime, there’s time for a photo session — the kind you can only get at Winter Farewell!
The unusually bright colors of the pancakes are a bold experiment and a fresh twist on tradition
Yet the classic golden rounds will always remain the holiday’s main symbol
In fact, pancakes are one of the world’s oldest dishes — people have been making them for thousands of years
The first mention of “pancake pies” with fillings dates back to the 17th century
An Orthodox priest blesses the generous feast
Now it’s time to enjoy the food to the fullest!
Today, it’s absolutely forbidden to deny oneself these little pleasures
The local activists are ready to feed everyone
After such a warm welcome, no one will be celebrating on an empty stomach
Folk Fun
Interactive zones with traditional folk games are set up all across the area
The photo spots offer grotesque, themed props for playful shots
The jesters oversee the humorous “battles” and keep the mood light
One can even hear the jaw harp here — an instrument with a rich history and a very distinctive sound
Pillow fights take place on a wide, smooth log
It’s a way to show off strength and agility, with plenty of comic effect
The game is incredibly thrilling: swinging, one has to anticipate the opponent’s moves
Looks like that blow was missed…
…but just a minute later, luck turns its back on the attacker
Girls are just as eager to climb onto the log for their turn in the duels
Why not try this old Winter Farewell pastime?
And another round ends — but thanks to quick thinking and nimbleness, no one takes a fall
Weight lifting is another traditional contest
It starts with demonstration performances by the kettlebell sport coach
He expects the same level of skill from anyone hoping to claim the title of the festival’s top athlete
Plenty of people are keen to lift the weight, and they’re impressively resilient
The audience cheers the contestants on enthusiastically
By the fiftieth (or maybe seventieth?) lift, even the host’s encouragement becomes priceless
In the old days, this competition would show whether men were ready for the spring fieldwork
And here’s the ice pole — a classic Winter Farewell challenge
As we can see, climbing it alone is tough, almost impossible
But with the help of a few fit friends, reaching the prize is doable
Now they’re exchanging the boot they took from the pole for their well‑earned reward
Alexander Usoltsev, Director of the local Cultural Center, presents the prizes to the young men
“Irtysh” Dance Ensemble
The second part of the concert begins — the guest stars are the “Irtysh” Dance Ensemble
Founded in 1991, the group has been promoting folk choreography ever since
Their repertoire features over 30 unique performances
Vocal numbers alternate with dance acts, creating a dynamic program
The “Siberian Cheerful” folk dance has been adapted to suit the cold weather
It’s the dancers’ smiles that truly turn movement into art and complete the image
Over the years, the ensemble has received applause in seven countries, including far‑off Brazil
And now it’s clear how the group keeps growing its fan base
Each performer has the stage presence to hold the audience’s attention all on their own
But when they pair up, the whole crowd freezes in awe
In many ways, it’s thanks to ensembles like this that Omsk earned its title as a Cultural Capital
The energetic videos will keep the festival’s spirit alive for a long time
The male dancers of “Irtysh” set the tone for the grand finale
It seems their energy is strong enough to chase the Siberian chill away
There’s youthful daring in every step — this is how we traditionally say goodbye to winter
And when the female dancers join in, the number gains a whole new depth
The flawless coordination of the ten dancers is utterly mesmerizing
Each pair shows its own take on what a folk dance duet can be
Their eyes create a wordless dialogue — it’s impossible to look away
The skirts spin like whirlwinds, to the cheers of partners and the audience alike
With this performance, the ensemble wraps up the program, leaving a spark of joy in every heart
Burning the Effigy
Now the whole crowd gathers around the Winter effigy
Traditionally, it was made of straw and old rags, dressed in bright clothes
Burning the effigy isn’t just a symbolic farewell to the tiresome winter…
…it’s also a collective cleansing from everything bad that happened in the recent past
According to the belief, the higher and steadier the flames of the embodiment of frost and blizzards burn, the luckier the coming year will be
In fact, the ashes were often scattered across the fields, passing the fire’s strength to the soil
The whole ritual lasts no more than two minutes
If you make a wish while watching the Winter Farewell bonfire, it’s sure to come true
The fire must never be left unattended: ancestors believed this could bring misfortune
Culinary Record
Meanwhile, the counter of baked pumpkin pancakes has passed the 1,500 mark
Vera Zhilina, who has been working in the cold for four hours now, stays full of optimism
Finally, portions of the sweet treat are laid out on the long table
From the stage, the author of this culinary triumph sincerely thanks her team
Yulia Litvinenko represents the Russian Gastronomic Book of Records
The achievement is officially confirmed: 2,036 pancakes were baked — 10 more than the target
All the tangible symbols of success are handed over to the entrepreneur
Her mission is to study and promote folk cuisine as part of the country’s cultural code
Now her name stands alongside other major culinary projects
Everyone who helped set the record receives a certificate of appreciation
Among them is Natalia Molotkova, Yulia Litvinenko’s colleague at Chefs Team Russia
This is how the people of Omsk strengthen traditions and boost event tourism in the region
All that’s left is to serve the pancakes to the festival guests
Yours truly reporter can confirm: they taste wonderful
Let’s honor the magicians who turned dough into a festive treat!
A farewell round dance gathers the most steadfast participants
It’s hard to believe the temperature has held steady at −20°C all day
But after Winter Farewell, we can already feel spring coming, and the heart fills with hope
