Russia — Events
Winter Festival
Celebrated over the Western Christmas and New Year period, the Russian Winter Festival combines different celebrations and holidays and is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy Russian customs and festivities, such as traditional folk music, troika (sleigh) rides and games, Russian food and lots of vodka. There are also musical and dance performances, and characters dressed as popular Russian mythological figures are there to greet the crowds. For more information contact the Russian Federation Tourism Department on +7 (8) 095 208 2937 or email tourdept@yandex.ru
Maslenitsa Festival
Annually in March, Moscow residents engage in a festival of last minute debauchery before the sober month of Lent sets in. Because dairy and eggs are not allowed during Lent, the most common indulgence is bliny (pancakes), leading to Maslenista also being referred to as Pancake week or Butter week. Over the years, the Russians have used the practice of eating pancakes and culture of general indulgence to celebrate Russian heritage. Celebrations in true Russian style include bare knuckle fist fights, bear performances, effigy burning and puppetry.
Fashion Week Moscow
Following in the vein of Fashion Week London, Pairs, Milan and New York, Fashion Week Moscow is a growing draw for fashionista the world over, with over fifty fashion houses showcasing their productions to nearly 100 000 guests bi-annually. The ethos on the Moscow event is to promote the fashion industry in Russia and has made big names of Igor Chapurin, Andrew Sharov and Tatiana Parfenova.
Stars of the White Nights Festival
This festival of performing arts is the essence of the Mariinsky theater’s artistic achievements, home of the celebrated Kirov Opera and Ballet, and is a must for ballet, opera and classical music lovers. The annual White Nights Festival derives its name from the short summer season when the sun never sets, and the beauty of these white nights contributes to the festival’s special atmosphere and its world-class program of concerts, as audiences exit the historic theater at midnight into daylight to stroll home through the theatrical setting of St Petersburg.
Kinotavr Film Festival
Every year the rich and famous of Russia descend upon the resort city of Sochi for the annual Kinotavr film festival, one of the biggest events on the calendar. Featuring the works of Russian and international artists from directors and scriptwriters to actors and directors of photography, the festival honors those making a contribution to Russian cinema.
Millionaire Fair
Unless you’re a dollar millionaire, you’re not likely to make many purchases at this annual event but there’s a hefty dose of window shopping to be savoured by those so inclined& or to give you something to aspire to! Among the items sold and exhibited in the past were a golden coffeemaker worth EUR6,500; a million-dollar (US) phone encrusted in diamonds and several Bugatti cars costing EUR1,300,000 each.
2014 Winter Olympics Sochi
Sochi has risen to prominence as the host of the 2014 Olympic Games, or more properly the XXII Olympic Winter Games. The games will cost Russia a projected $11 billion as they transform Sochi’s surrounds into the most modern and compact Winter Olympic venue ever. The events will take place at two clusters, each featuring an Olympic village: Sochi Olympic Park is sited on the coast, while Krasnaya Polyana is 48km away in the mountains. The venues will be linked by a new railway line, with a journey time between the two of only 30 minutes.
2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia has been awarded the 2018 Football World Cup, and will soon start developing the 16 ultra-modern football stadiums across 13 host cities it promised in its ambitious winning bid. “We go to new lands,” Sepp Blatter, FIFA president, said as he unveiled the winner. The event will force Russia to modernise much of its transport infrastructure and relax its strict visa requirements, both to the long-term benefit of tourists to the country. It will also need to address its local footballs fans’ well-earned reputation for violence and xenophobia.
