Launch Party For Russian Week in London 2013 

 

Comments the Mayor of London Boris Johnson:

“I am delighted to give my backing to London’s Maslenitsa celebrations, a sure sign that spring is on its way. London has a large Russian population and this popular event is an opportunity to become immersed in the rich traditions and heritage of that great country. It also offers a taster ahead of Sochi 2014, which is now just a year away and I am sure will be a huge success. Int he meantime, whether you try a delicious blini, pirogi or chebureki, to our friends in Moscow and Russians everywhere have a fantastic Maslenitsa! Maslenitsa gulyaet – vesnu vstrechaet, zimu provoshaet!*”

The popular festival features a variety of activities for all ages including musical performances by Russia’s leading musical talent, a children’s marquee with songs, competitions and games, and a bustling bazaar organised by the Russian National Arts and Crafts organisation, with original Russian art, handicrafts and souvenirs for sale.

Maslenitsa is also known as Pancake Week and there will be plenty of authentic Russian dishes to sample. In addition to blini there will be other traditional staples such as beef stroganoff and borscht (beetroot soup) as well as delicacies such as pelmeni (Russian-style pasta).

Maslenitsa 2013 will include, among others, a special visit by Eurovision Contest 2012 stars the Buranovskie Babushki (Singing Grannies); performances by celebrated folk diva Nadezhda Babkina with her contemporary take on traditional Russian sounds; young folk group Rodnaya Storonka who cover multiple genres; the legendary State Academic Ensemble Berezka; the award-winning and innovative Bis-Quit Quartet; charismatic and much-loved soul Russian artist Petr Nalich accompanied by his band; national
treasure Oleg Gazmanov and one of the most famous Russian rock bands of all time, Smyslovye Galuzinazii.

The festival comes at the culmination of the Russian Maslenitsa Week which includes satellite events across the city of London. These include the exhibition Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars at the V&A, a culinary evening at Russian restaurant Mari Vanna, a Russia Literary Evening at
Waterstones and a performance by the vivacious Theatre Praktika. This year’s Maslenitsa festival will also see the first winner of the Maslenitsa Prize for Song and Dance take to stage to entertain the crowds at Trafalgar Square.

“Due to high interest from the public, the Maslenitsa Festival remains an extremely important cultural event not just in the UK, but in Europe,” comments Olga Balakleets of Ensemble Productions. “Each year the festival grows, allowing more and more people to learn about the modern face of Russian culture as well as its rich cultural heritage.”