Summer Festivals in Moscow
Moscow is interesting and exciting all year round, but there are events on many days of the year that make the Russian capital even more vibrant. Festivals are a special experience that attracts and connects people from all over the world. The themes of the festivals are diverse and range from music events over historical events to comic fairs. In the following I would like to introduce you to some festivals that make the summer in Moscow more attractive. Maybe some of them are of interest to you?
GREAT GASTRONOMIC FESTIVAL OF VIETNAM IN MOSCOW
When: 24-26 May 10-21 hrs
Where: Shopping centre “Hanoi-Moscow” (“Ханой–Москва“), Yaroslavskoye shosse, Korp. 1
Metro station: ВДНХ/ VDNKh
Theme: Eating and drinking
Price: free
The year 2019 was declared as the Year of the Cross of Russia and Vietnam. With the Great Gastronomic Festival of Vietnam in Moscow, which takes place at the end of May in the shopping centre “Hanoi-Moscow”, a series of intercultural meetings is opened. If you will be a guest at this festival, you will get to know the traditions of both countries, listen to folk music and taste both Vietnamese and Russian cuisine. Learn how to prepare Vietnamese national dishes with the help of the cooking workshops offered by Vietnamese chefs, try fresh fruit and vegetables, marvel at the dance of the fire dragon and immerse yourself in Eastern traditions and legends to the sound of the national drums. You will also hear Russian folk instruments and songs – at this festival both cultures merge with each other. The event is organised with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and is easily reached by the free shuttle service from the metro station “VDNKh” to the main entrance of the shopping centre “Hanoi-Moscow”. Detailed information can be found on the platform “VKontakte” or Facebook for extensive information and updates.
FESTIVAL KOMMUNALKA
When: 25 May 12-21 hrs
Where: Loft “Module” (Лофт “Модуль”), Nizhnyaya Krasnosel’skaya Ulitsa, 35 Building K
Metro station: Бауманская/ Baumanskaya
Theme: History
Price: free
The festival “Kommunalka” is a portal to the past and opened its doors at a place for modern art: the loft and art space “Modul”. There are interesting lectures and interactive workshops in a cozy atmosphere in the style of a shared apartment. This fact gives the event its name, because “Kommunalka” refers to a form of housing that has existed in Russia since the 19th century, in which several parties share an apartment. Each room of the festival grounds presents its own decade, beginning forty years ago with the 80s and 90s. The new decade deals with the pop music of the future, the era of stagnation and the questions of ecology, feminism and new technologies. Those who want to spend their time actively at the festival can attend a yoga course, do a fitness training in the style of the 90s, play table tennis or attend creative workshops. In the evening you can enjoy a musical performance in the form of guitar sound or karaoke. In addition, drawings, retro equipment and much more make immersion in the past realistic. Admission to this world is free, but you should register first. Detailed information can also be found on the platform “VKontakte”.
EPIC CON RUSSIA 2019
When: 1/2 June 12-21 hrs
Where: Sokolniki Exhibiton and Convention Centre, 5 Luchevoy prosek, 7, Building 1
Metro station: Сокольники/ Sokolniki
Theme: Anime/Cinema/Comic
Price: 850 – 2500 rubles
June begins with an important event for all fans of fantasy, cosplay, TV series and games: Epic Con Russia 2019 presents a world of computer games and fiction at the Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre (ECC), where visitors can test the latest gadgets and games. Epic Con Russia has a special magic especially for long-time fans of this scene, but even those who have not yet immersed themselves in this world can have a lot of fun and an interesting time on these days. Areas with different themes and attractive stands with exciting novelties and long-awaited premieres will also allow newcomers to experience an unforgettable event. Epic Con Russia presents fantastic universes dedicated to the most popular movies and comics, allowing its visitors to spend time with their favorite characters from noon to night. But besides life-size characters, you can also get rare figures, take part in movie and TV quiz games (with great prizes for the winners!!!), test new gadgets and of course make new interesting acquaintances. There will be presentations of the latest games, tables with board games where the best of the best can prove their skills and competitions among cosplayers who have been looking forward to this event for a long time. You can buy tickets for this festival on the website of the organizers and get to know the participants in advance in the official group of the social network “VKontakte”. The event programme can also be found there. No matter if longtime fans or borrowers of this scene – dive into the fantastic world of Epic Con Russia 2019!
USADBA JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: 22-23 June 14 hrs
Where: Kolomenskoye (Парк Коломенское), Andropova Prospekt, 39
Metro station: Каширская/ Kashirskaja, Коломенская/ Kolomenskaja
Theme: Open Air/ Music
Price: from 4500 rubles
I especially like to introduce this festival to you: The biggest and oldest jazz festival in Moscow, the Usadba Jazz Festival. This year it will take place for the 16th time and the line-up is especially outstanding: With the participation of The Black Eyed Peas, Ivan Dorn, Kovacs and many others the event will be an unforgettable experience. The festival site is also special, as it will take place for two days in Kolomenskoye Park – the former residence of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The unique landscape provides a worthy setting for the music festival. The artists will perform on a total of six stages – not only in the jazz genre, but also, among others, in Afrobit, Reggae, Soul or Poprock. The festival offers breathtaking and great artists also take a market with designer jewelry, a food court and even a children’s playground. For children under 10, admission is actually free. Also here you can find all important information about the Usadba Jazz Festival on the website of the organizer (there you can also buy tickets!!!) and on the social platform “VKontakte”.
PARK LIVE FESTIVAL
When: 12 – 14 July 14 hrs
Where: Gorky Park (“Парк Горького”), Krymsky Val, 9
Metro station: Октябрьская / Oktyabrskaya, Парк культуры культуры/ Park Kultury
Theme: Open Air/ Music
Price: from 4000 rubles
The Park Live Festival annually gathers the greatest rock stars of the music scene in the Russian capital. Among them were bands like Muse, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Lana Del Rey – these artists and many others have played on the stage of this festival over the years. And again this year the organizers of the event surpass themselves: The cult band 30 Second to Mars with singer and actor Jared Leto will perform in Moscow. And also the participation of Bring Me the Horizon, the South African rap rave band Die Antwoord and the British singer Rag’n’Bone Man as well as many more should whet your appetite for the musical festival in the park.
I think there is something for everyone at the presented festivals. At which events can you be found?
