THE Russians are coming! And London Mayor Boris is letting them in. Plans for London’s first Maslenitsa Russian festival have been announced by Boris Johnson today.
The Russians are taking over Pottersfield Park at London Bridge, close to Boris’s ninth floor office at City Hall, for five hours of culture and dance on Sunday week, March 1.
“Russian Londoners are a thriving community,” he said. “They have made a significant contribution to London both economically and culturally.”
Maslenitsa traditionally welcomes the Russian spring and encourages people to feast on ‘blini’ pancakes before Lent.
The free festivities from 1 to 6pm includes folk music, khorovody circle dancing, skomorokhi minstrels, a tug-of-war and performances by the Russian Orthodox Cathedral choir and Russian Orchestra of London.
It is supported by the Mayor’s Office, the Pushkin House London centre for Russian culture, the Russian Embassy, the Moscow City authorities and Russia’s Ministry of Culture.
Potters Field is between London Bridge and Tower Bridge right near City Hall. More details are at the Mayor's website.
“Russian Londoners are a thriving community,” he said. “They have made a significant contribution to London both economically and culturally.”
Maslenitsa traditionally welcomes the Russian spring and encourages people to feast on ‘blini’ pancakes before Lent.
The free festivities from 1 to 6pm includes folk music, khorovody circle dancing, skomorokhi minstrels, a tug-of-war and performances by the Russian Orthodox Cathedral choir and Russian Orchestra of London.
It is supported by the Mayor’s Office, the Pushkin House London centre for Russian culture, the Russian Embassy, the Moscow City authorities and Russia’s Ministry of Culture.
