Chinese New Year in Moscow, Maslenitsa in Beijing: The Russia-China Cultural Bridge

Moscow / Cultural exchange between Russia and China has reached new heights this time. On one hand, the Russian capital, Moscow, was awash in the colors of the Chinese New Year, while on the other, the Chinese capital, Beijing, was immersed in the flavors of the traditional Russian festival, Maslenitsa.

The ‘Chinese New Year in Moscow’ festival ran from February 16 to March 1, connecting more than 60 venues across the city. On this occasion, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, expressed her greetings in the Chinese language. The opening ceremony, held at Manezhnaya Square, featured performances by artists from China, a drum show, folk dances, and acrobatics. Muscovites and tourists had the opportunity to watch performances by artists from various Chinese provinces, participate in interactive games, and learn to make traditional musical instruments, as well as red envelopes (Hongbao) for gifts and good wishes.

In terms of cuisine, attendees were able to taste Chinese delicacies such as Lanzhou noodles, Wenchang chicken with rice, and traditional Baozi buns, among other dishes. At other venues, tea ceremonies, Chinese board game championships, and international exhibitions were also organized.

Similarly, the ‘Maslenitsa in Beijing’ festival was organized in the Chinese capital, Beijing. During this festival, Chaoyang Park was decorated to resemble a Russian fair, complete with wooden houses, artistic structures, and photo zones. Residents and visitors of the Chinese capital got to see the Russian tradition of welcoming spring, enjoyed musical performances, and tasted Russian pancakes (blini) with various fillings. Visitors were also able to take a virtual tour of Moscow using Virtual Reality technology and see its major landmarks. The festival, which ran from February 19 to 22, attracted more than 486,000 visitors.

These festivals have become a vibrant example of cultural exchange between Moscow and Beijing. On the occasion of ‘Maslenitsa in Beijing’ itself, a memorandum of cooperation on tourism was signed between the two sides, which aims to encourage joint projects, experience sharing, and the promotion of tourism in both capitals.