☀️On 21 February, Maslenitsa was celebrated at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the largest Maslenitsa festival held in the Western Cape in recent years. The historic walls of the Castle provided a vibrant and symbolic setting for a joyful farewell to winter, bringing together compatriots, local residents and friends of Russia. The event was organised by the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots' Organizations of the Western Cape with the support of the Consulate General of Russia in Cape Town. 🇷🇺 Consul General of Russia in Cape Town R.Golobovskiy delivered opening remarks at the celebration: Even without northern snow under the bright African sun the spirit of Maslenitsa remained unchanged. The absence of winter frost did not diminish the festive atmosphere; on the contrary, it once again demonstrated that the essence of the holiday lies not in the weather, but in unity, hospitality and shared cultural memory. 🎶 A festive concert programme became one of the highlights of the day. Talented singers performed beloved songs, filling the courtyard with warmth and festive spirit, while children delighted guests with lively dance performances in colourful traditional costumes. Special attention was given to the youngest participants. A dedicated children’s zone offered creative workshops where children could paint traditional wooden spoons and matryoshka dolls, discovering elements of Russian folk art in an engaging and interactive way. The space was filled with colour, imagination and laughter. 🥞 Freshly prepared blini with a variety of sweet and savoury fillings, as well as delicious pirozhki, were enjoyed throughout the day. The programme also included lively sports activities that added energy and excitement to the celebration. Guests enthusiastically took part in traditional games such as tug-of-war, strength competitions to determine who was the strongest, and sack races. The celebration clearly showed that distance from homeland is no obstacle to preserving traditions. In Cape Town Maslenitsa became a celebration of renewal, friendship and cultural dialogue, bringing people together in a spirit of warmth and mutual understanding.