Simferopol residents say good-bye to Maslenitsa and Yuschenko

Activists of the Russkoye Yedinstvo (Russian Unity) All-Crimean movement held a “farewell ceremony” for Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko as his term is expiring. About 200 people participated in the action held within the framework of celebrating Maslenitsa [Cheese Fare Week], an Interfax correspondent reported.

They made an effigy of Yuschenko dressed in traditional Ukrainian pants of state colors and a American flag top hat and installed it on a trolley.

The pig-harnessed trolley was wheeled around the square with slogans Away with orange piggery – we stand for people’s unity!

A straw effigy symbolizing winter was also burnt down at the square. Activists danced around the fire. Representatives of the Russkoye Yedinstvo served pancakes and tea to passersby.

Maslenitsa is a festival celebrating the imminent end of the winter held last week before the onset of Great Lent. As the culmination of the celebration on Sunday evening, straw lady Maslenitsa is stripped of her finery and put to the flames of a bonfire.