Bliny (a plural from blin) are Russian thin pancakes traditionally made from wheat or (more rarely) buckwheat flour and served with sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, caviar and other garnishes.
According to historians, bliny were considered by early East Slavic people in pre-Christian times to be a symbol of the sun, due to their round form. They were traditionally prepared at the end of winter to honor the rebirth of the new sun (Butter Week, or Maslenitsa). This tradition was adopted by the Orthodox church and is carried on to the present day.
Traditional Russian bliny are made with yeasted batter, which is left to rise and then diluted with milk, soured milk, cold or boiling water.
A lighter and thinner form made from unyeasted batter (usually made of flour, eggs, milk or soured milk, kefir, ryazhenka, varenets), is also common in Russia.
Bliny are among the most popular and most-eaten dishes in Russia.