Villagers play traditional games as they take part in a Chyrachka rite during the Maslenitsa celebration in the village of Tonezh, some 280km from Minsk. Maslenitsa is an ancient farewell ceremony to winter, traditional in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.

Actors perform during the Maslenitsa celebrations marking the end of winter in central Moscow

A reveller takes part in a festive game during the celebration of Maslenitsa also known as Kolodiy, a pagan holiday marking the end of winter, in Kiev, Ukraine

Revellers burn an effigy of Kostrubatyi Did, a symbol of winter, during the celebration of Maslenitsa also known as Kolodiy, a pagan holiday marking the end of winter, in Kiev, Ukraine