All the Pancakes and Parties of Maslenitsa in Moscow

Russia's believers reflect while its vegetarians rejoice as we get ready for special Lenten menus in meat-loving Moscow in the six weeks of Lent that precede Orthodox Easter. The week that announces the transition to Lent is Maslenitsa — seven days full of pancake (or in Russian, blini) eating and merriment.

Running from March 4 to March 10, here's a look at the festivities so far.