Maslenitsa 2026 at Le Crès park — how it went

How it came together

The idea appeared on 11 February, casually: “How about a pancake picnic? Sunday afternoon, 22 February, in the park by the river where the tables are.” The date landed exactly right: Maslenitsa week ran from 16 to 22 February, and the picnic was set for its final day — which is also Forgiveness Sunday.

The venue took some juggling: first Parc Rimbaud in Montpellier was announced, then Port Marianne was discussed, then back to Rimbaud — and two days before the event it turned out Rimbaud was closed (for about a week, apparently because of wind; the organiser got through on the phone — “closed until Monday”). The final announcement was pinned on 20 February: Le Crès park, Chem. de Navitau — a municipal park with tables and playgrounds in the Montpellier metropolitan area. Meeting time: 2 pm.

The format was potluck, participation free: “We’re setting one friendly shared table: pancakes, pies, snacks, juices, water, teas and any other treats are welcome.” By 18 February about 20 people had signed up, families came with children from a year and a half to six years old.

Logistics

Pancakes were made at home and brought ready — the organiser’s only kit was an electric hotplate: “I thought we’d just fry them and bring them along.” The Russian grocery Épicerie Victoria was invited too: “We’re waiting for you with pancakes and condensed milk.” Tableware was solved simply: the organiser brought several packs of disposable plates and cups, and asked others to bring some “just in case”.

There were two ways to get there: by car — parking next to the park is free; without a car — tram 2 to the Via Domitia stop and a short walk. Those driving were asked to bring folding tables and chairs — “we’ll add them to the shared table and seat the kids there”. Props for the programme were crowdsourced from the whole chat: games, kites, balls, badminton, a fitness hoop, a guitar, headscarves and ribbons, “ladies — red lipstick”, and the organiser had “two whole bags” of balloons. The forecast promised lovely weather — which raised a worry that the park tables would be taken earlier.

How it went

At 13:58 the organiser reported from the spot with a photo: “The table is set,)”. After that the day ran itself: a participant hosted the games — “express level”, 20–30 minutes; there was a khorovod, hula-hooping (“two participants were unbeatable at graceful hooping”), badminton, and improvised boxing for the children — “she only went to Maslenitsa for that,” the mother of one young participant wrote afterwards.

There was no bonfire — “but we will be jumping)))”. Notably many newcomers turned up: “so many new faces!!!” The day coincided with Forgiveness Sunday, and people in the chat even publicly made peace that day. Photo reports arrived in three waves: from the picnic in the afternoon, in the evening, and again the next morning, plus videos.

The organiser’s summary: “Thank you, everyone who came. There are so many of us and we really are a close bunch. And the treats you all brought — that means a lot.”

If you’re coming to the next celebration

Seasonal celebrations are a steady community format: a week later the chat already read “Maslenitsa was fantastic :)) We’ll do it again at Easter in April:)”. The same shared-table principle later carried over to the big May barbecue. The mechanics are always the same: potluck instead of fees, one shared table, props crowdsourced through the chat, and a venue with free parking plus a tram alternative. Look for the next announcement in the same place — the community chat.