Maslyana Wishes

View full-size photo

Maslyana, or Cheese Week, is the last week before Great Lent, when tradition still allows dairy food, visiting friends and celebrating. In Ukrainian tradition it is a time of cheese-filled varenyky, the Kolodii custom and Forgiveness Sunday. Here are Maslyana wishes: short ones for a messenger, for family, friends and colleagues, funny ones and verses, plus a little about the holiday’s traditions. Wishes for other holidays of the year are in our holiday wishes calendar.

More on this topic: Forgiveness Sunday wishes, first day of spring wishes, Easter wishes.

Short Maslyana wishes

• Happy Maslyana! Tasty varenyky, warm visits and a spring mood.
• Happy Cheese Week! May life be as generous as a festive table.
• Happy Maslyana! May winter retreat and warmth and joy fill your home.

Wishes for family and friends

• My dears, happy Maslyana! May this week bring the whole family together at one table, and may the cheese varenyky be the tastiest ever. I wish you peace, harmony and a generous spring.
• Friends, happy Maslyana! Let’s spend this week in a way worth remembering — with visits, laughter and treats. And then, an easy Lent and a bright Easter.

Wishes for colleagues

• Dear colleagues, happy Maslyana! May your working days be easy and your evenings tasty and warm. May spring bring new ideas and success.
• Happy Maslyana! How about a team tea with varenyky on Friday — for team spirit and a good mood?

Funny Maslyana wishes

• Happy Maslyana! May you have more varenyky than calories, and may the scales show only good news by Easter.
• Happy Maslyana! This week, diets are officially cancelled — let’s celebrate!

Traditions of Ukrainian Maslyana

• In Ukrainian tradition, Cheese Week is not about pancakes but about cheese varenyky made by the whole family. On Thursday or Monday people marked Kolodii: women playfully “tied a log” to unmarried young men, who had to “buy their way out” with treats. The week ended with Forgiveness Sunday, when people asked each other for forgiveness before Lent.

How to send Maslyana wishes

• Maslyana is a light, homely holiday, so wishes should be warm and relaxed. Mention varenyky, visits and the coming of spring. For those who fast, wish an easy Lent and a bright Easter. On Forgiveness Sunday, add a sincere “forgive me”.

Maslyana verses

Maslyana’s here — come one, come all,
It’s time to make varenyky!
May joy and warmth now fill the hall
And winter fade away swiftly!

Cheese Week is here, the days grow long,
The family gathers, warm and near;
May spring arrive with light and song
And fill your home with joy and cheer!

Flowers for Maslyana

Maslyana is about seeing off winter and welcoming spring, so yellow, sunny flowers are perfect: yellow roses, tulips, mimosa. If you’re visiting for varenyky, bring a small bouquet for the hostess and sweets for tea — a nice tradition that always pleases.

View full-size photo

See tulips and sweets.

View full-size photo

FAQ

When is Maslyana celebrated?

During the week before Great Lent; the date changes every year along with Easter.

How is Ukrainian Maslyana different?

The main dish is cheese varenyky rather than pancakes, people mark the Kolodii custom, and the week ends with Forgiveness Sunday.

What to wish someone for Maslyana?

Tasty varenyky, warm visits, a spring mood, and for those who fast — an easy Lent and a bright Easter.

View full-size photo

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.