Deep Dive: Estonian Setos in Setomaa celebrate Maslenitsa with sledding, pancakes, music, and Olympic-inspired curling ahead of Orthodox Lent

The celebration of Maslenitsa by the Setos in Setomaa highlights a vibrant expression of cultural continuity in a region straddling the Estonia-Russia border. Setos, an ethnic group with deep Orthodox Christian roots, use this pre-Lenten festival to blend ancient Slavic traditions of feasting and fun with contemporary touches like Olympic-inspired curling. Geopolitically, this event underscores the resilience of minority cultural practices amid Estonia's EU and NATO membership juxtaposed against its proximity to Russia, where similar traditions persist but under different political dynamics. The inclusion of sledding and pancakes reinforces communal bonds in a community often navigating identity questions in post-Soviet Europe. Historically, Maslenitsa (also known as Butter Week) serves as a bridge between winter and spring, rooted in pagan rituals Christianized by the Orthodox Church, emphasizing forgiveness and preparation for Lent. In Setomaa, a culturally distinct area with historical ties to both Estonian and Russian influences, such events preserve linguistic and religious heritage that differentiates Setos from mainstream Estonians, who predominantly follow Lutheranism. Key actors here are local Seto communities, whose strategic interest lies in maintaining cultural autonomy through festivals that foster intergenerational transmission of traditions. This local flair not only entertains but strategically asserts identity in a geopolitically sensitive borderland. Cross-border implications are subtle yet significant: while primarily a domestic Estonian affair, the Orthodox orientation echoes practices in Russia, potentially softening cultural divides amid tensions over Ukraine and Baltic security. Stakeholders include Estonia's government, which supports minority cultures to promote social cohesion, and the Russian Orthodox Church, whose influence lingers in Seto spirituality. Beyond the region, this matters for EU policymakers monitoring soft power dynamics in Eastern Europe, where cultural events can signal stability or latent irredentism. The outlook remains positive, with such celebrations likely to evolve, incorporating global events like the Olympics to engage youth and sustain relevance.