Kukeri figures scare evil spirits at the onset of this period in Bulgaria, where it is signified by Baba Marta’s red and white yarn in a similar tradition to Martinka and Mărțișor (“murt-see-SHOR”). For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this period personified by the Yarilo, a Slavic dying god who is born to Perun, but kidnapped and raised by Veles. The Germanic dawn goddess was a byname for this time period.
ANSWER: spring [or springtime, vesna, primăvară, prolet, or pranverë; accept Easter or Ēastre or or *Austrōn; reject “Ishtar”]
[10e] This substance is patronized by Kurent, whose namesake spring festival is celebrated by Cleveland’s Slovene diaspora. The Romans gave a folk etymology to their god Liber from the freeing power of this substance.
ANSWER: wine [accept alcohol, beer, spirits, liquor, vinum, or other alcoholic beverages]
[10h] Kurent drives away personifications of winter like this Slavic relative of the Snow Maiden. Yugoslav and Soviet republics created local versions of this figure, like one who brings gifts with Saint Nicholas and Santa in Slovenia.
ANSWER: Ded Moroz [or Father Frost or Grandfather Frost or Old Man Frost; or Morozko, Dyado Koleda, Dedek Mraz, Dedo Mraz, Djed Mraz, Dzmer Pap, or variants of any; accept Ayaz Ata, Aýaz Baba, Şaxta Baba, Qış Babay, or variants of any; accept Moș Gerilă; prompt on Old Man Winter; reject “Jack Frost”]
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