Granai della Memoria

Irina Sergeyevna Kosolapova was interviewed in February 2012. She is a research assistant in the Historical Museum of Arzamas (Russia). Irina Sergeyevna deals with the collection and preservation of historical material related to the folk traditions and rituals of the provincial town Arzamas (500 km from Moscow) and its suburb. Kosolapova explains what Maslenitsa (Russian carnival) means and how it is celebrated in her home town. In particular, she speaks about traditions starting from their pre-Christian origin. She also emphasizes the importance of ritual food, blini, and describes the relationship between a man and an ancient deity of the forest, Koma (looks like a bear). Finally, she explains the meaning of the each day of the Butter week and mentions the most important ritual: the burning of a straw doll, the Maslenitsa doll,  a symbol of the end of a cold winter and the return of life after severe frost,  the arrival of the long-awaited spring.