Sledding and sweet buns: Shrovetide in Estonia
This centuries-old holiday marking the weeks leading up to Lent involves sliding down hills and feasting on buns piled high with whipped cream.
Shrove Tuesday, called Vastlapäev in Estonian, marks the last day of feasting and fun before Lent.
Many branches of Christianity celebrate this holiday, which falls on a different day each year, seven weeks before Easter, either in February or March.
In some countries, it's called Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, it is called Pancake Tuesday because a delicious meal of pancakes is served. In Estonia, as with many holidays, Shrove Tuesday celebrations revolve around the changing seasons and the agricultural calendar.
Source: Visit Estonia
One of the central traditions of Shrove Tuesday is sledding.
In the olden days, when most Estonians were farmers, it was said that the further you slid down a snowy hill on a linen bag or sled, the longer your flax stems would grow the following summer. Friendly competitions were held between neighbors to see who could go the farthest.
Grab your sled and head to the hill!
Traditionally, the longer the sled ride, the longer the stems of the flax crop would grow during the summer.
Where to go sledding in Estonia
Grab a sled from the shop and slide down the nearest hill. Here are some bigger options if you're looking for more excitement.
Buns, pea soup, and pig's feet
Traditionally, a pig was slaughtered and served during Christmas, so by late February or early March, all that remained were the legs. Boiled pig's trotters (seajalad) were served along with pea and bean soup, still a popular seasonal dish. It was said you should not lick the grease from your hands or face after eating the fatty pig's trotters, for it would protect you from being cut by anything sharp on this day.
The real treat of Shrove Tuesday is a sweet bun stuffed with whipped cream called vastlakukkel.
These fluffy baked goods are so popular that cafes begin to fill their display cases with them not long after the new year begins. Nowadays, bakers have begun experimenting, stuffing buns with jam, marzipan, pistachio paste, and other fillings, along with whipped cream. Others have gotten even more creative, replacing the bun with a croissant or other sweet pastry.
Source: Rauno Liivand
Dig in to a fluffy winter treat!
Try different versions of vastlakukkel at cafés and bakeries all over Estonia.
Vastlapäev provided a break for women, as spinning and knitting were prohibited.
Instead, women would go to the local tavern and have a red drink (like wine), which was believed to give them a clear complexion and rosy cheeks for the rest of the year. It was also believed that combing and cutting hair on Shrove Tuesday would ensure long, thick locks. However, cut hair should not be left lying around, as it could lead to memory loss!
Source: Renee Altrov
Every season has something special — and an extra season gives you extra time to see it all.
Last updated
05.02.2025