iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
This year’s heat wave is expected to break records in terms of both temperature and duration, said experts
KT APPDOWNLOAD
'More than just luxury living': Rich UAE culture takes over Moscow, wows Russians
More than 300,000 visitors could be seen sipping the traditional qahwa, applying henna and participating in many other activities at Manezh Square
KT Photos: SM Ayaz Zakir
The spirit of UAE took over the magnificent heart of Moscow at Manezh Square, last week. Russians could be seen sipping the traditional qahwa and applying henna at the pedestrian open space.
The square was filled with the colours of the UAE flag – red, white, black, and green – with a range of traditional Emirati activities from June 27 to July 2.
‘The Days of UAE Culture’, organised by the UAE Embassy and the Government of Moscow, drew in more than 300,000 attendees from different parts of Russia and Asian countries.
One of the highlights of the event was the Emirati wedding show, which captivated the audience by showcasing wedding traditions passed down through generations. The bride, wearing a traditional dress, was escorted by women to the groom's house where rituals were performed.
The 'Ayala' performance, a traditional dance where participants line up in two rows facing each other and dance and sing to the rhythm of tambourines and drums, captivated thousands of visitors, many of whom recorded it on their phones.
Niki Kozilov a resident of Moscow came along with his friends to witness the Emirati culture. “I had come to Dubai twice, I had never seen anything like the 'Ayala' dance before and did not experience the Emirati culture, which I regret now. The way the participants moved in sync with the rhythm of the instrument was mesmerising. My next trip to the Emirates will be solely dedicated to learning and experiencing the Emirati culture,” said Kozilov.
Visitors to the event also enjoyed performances by Emirati bands, a fashion show featuring Emirati music, and the opportunity to taste national treats and popular UAE dishes. “Whenever we browse about the UAE on the internet, all we see is the modern architecture, adventure, and luxury living. However, there is just more than that to it,” said Anastasia, a visitor to the event who came all the way from St Petersburg to experience the Emirati culture in Moscow.
“The Emirati culture is so rich. I always had plans to visit Dubai. But for some reason I couldn’t visit. After experiencing the Emirati culture here, I just don’t want to experience the luxury living but rather the rich tradition of the place,” said Anastasia.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The event provided an immersive cultural experience with activities such as temporary henna tattoos, craft displays, and a photo exhibition showcasing the stunning landscapes of the UAE.
Anya Petrova, an engineer at MTC Telecommunications, applied henna for the first time. “I always wanted to have a henna design on my hand. The first time I saw it was when my friend returned from India with a beautiful design. Since then, I have been waiting for an opportunity to get it done,” said Anya. “Finally, I got it, and it's beautiful. All the Russians are so enthusiastic about this that I had to wait for more than an hour in line to get it done.”
The event saw more than 40,000 attendees on the first evening alone, and by the end of the program, over 300,000 people had experienced the cultural offerings. The program is part of a larger cycle of events held on a reciprocal basis within the framework of bilateral interaction between Russia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States (GCC).
“It will be part of a cycle of events held on a reciprocal basis within the framework of bilateral cooperation,” said Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.
“Partnership relations between our countries are developing in many areas, including tourism. In 2023 alone, more than 42,000 travellers from the UAE visited Moscow—eight times more than the previous year. This trend continued in the first quarter of 2024—we are again recording growth,” said Sergunina.
In addition to cultural exchanges, the two countries are also actively fostering relations in the tourism sector. Travellers from the UAE do not need a visa to enter Russia, and in 2023, Moscow welcomed 42.2 thousand tourists from the UAE. As of early February, there were 150 flights a week from the Russian capital to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
ALSO READ:
More news from UAE
He added a negative sign to the amount so, instead of being deducted, the money was credited to his account
Motorists had to endure bad road conditions due to poor visibility and strong winds with gusts exceeding 20 knots or 37kmph
As summer temperatures soar, this initiative — which runs until August 23 — aims to help residents beat the heat while promoting compassion and generosity
From offering free ice cream to banning outside work in peak hours, take a look at the initiatives put into place to give workers relief
The branches will operate from 8.00am to 8.00pm
Passport authority warned customers to avoid interacting with anonymous messages or clicking on links from unknown sources
DXB reveals peak periods; busiest day and weekend ahead of the summer vacation