Penza, 10 March 2016. PenzaNews. Penza will hold celebrations of Maslenitsa, a traditional Slavic religious and folk holiday, at a total of six public locations on Sunday, March 13.

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Most of the events will be taking place at the Belinsky Central Park.

The celebrations there will begin at 12.00, with three open-air stages areas holding performances of local bands throughout the day. The visitors will be able to take part in contests, ethnic outdoors games and sports competitions. As per the tradition, Penza citizens will be offered to climb a wooden pole and reach for the rooster on the top to get a prize. In addition, people will be able to buy souvenirs from the local craftsmen at the Masters’ Alley of the park.

The traditional burning of the Maslenitsa effigy, which is scheduled for 19.00, will be followed by a disco session with a fire show. The park rides will stay open until 21.00.

At the same time, the Ulyanovsky park will begin Maslenitsa public events at 11.00 and hold the burning of the effigy at 17.00.

The Olimpiysky park will also begin the events dedicated to the passing of the winter at 11.00; however, the burning of the Maslenits effigy will take place at 18.00.

In addition, the Penza culture and leisure center will be organizing festive events at the Akhuny culture center “Zarya” and “Mayakovsky” in Montazhny village, starting from 11.00.

The Penza zoo will also hold festivities dedicated to Maslenitsa – with horse-riding, craftsmen fair and photoshoot zones after 10.00, a concert which starts at 12.00, and the burning of the effigy at 14.00.