PANCAKES Russian-style will be on the menu in the name of international friendship next month.
The Friends of Kostroma - County Durham's partner Russian city - will celebrate Russia's pancake week when they meet on Wednesday, March 5.
"Maslenista, or Pancake Week, is the only purely Russian holiday that dates back to pagan times," said Brian Stobie, Durham County Council's international officer.
"The holiday lets out the long dark winter and welcomes the eagerly awaited spring.
"An essential element of the celebrations is bliny, or pancakes. The bliny is the symbol of the sun - round, gold and warm.
"We'll be serving them during the meeting,'' he said.
"The meetings are a way for people to become actively involved in the twinning programme and in visiting Kostroma".
The meeting starts at 7pm, in County Hall, Durham.
Anyone wanting to attend is asked to call 0191-383 3631.
Kostroma, which is about 250 miles north-east of Moscow, has had links with the county since 1968 and works with a range of agencies including social services, education and the police.
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