The Russian Week in London, Festival Maslenitsa

FREE entry, 13:00–19:00, Saturday 16 March 2013

Trafalgar Square, London, UK

• Festival supported by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
• Free entry, family-oriented day of fun and special children’s marquee
• Included VIP tent catered by Mari Vanna and a Green Mark marquee
• Official charity partner, Naked Heart Foundation, founded by model Natalia Vodianova

Saturday 16 March marked another successful Festival Maslenitsa, as the popular Russian spring celebration filled Trafalgar Square. The largest Russian celebration of culture, art, music and food outside of Russia, the free event returned for its fifth year, presenting audiences with the best in Russian popular entertainment. Maslenitsa is also known as Pancake Week and there were plenty of authentic Russian dishes to sample, including a healthy dose of blini and vodka. Coinciding with Maslenitsa celebrations across Russia its vibrant festival atmosphere allowed for an exchange of cultural dialogue as well as a celebration of important links between the UK and Russia, with a particular emphasis on the Olympic years of London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

The popular festival featured 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. The week preceding the Festival featured a photography exhibition at City Hall, a literary evening by Theatre Praktika at Waterstones Piccadilly, a craft fair, and a special visit by Eurovision Contest 2012 stars the Buranovskie Babushki (Singing Grannies), who performed at an exclusive British-Russian Gala on the eve of the festival. Performances on the day included superstar Polina Gagarina, celebrated folk diva Nadezhda Babkina, young folk group Rodnaya Storonka and the legendary State Academic Ensemble Berezka, among others.

MASLENITSA 2013: QUOTES

11-17 March 2013

“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 it will be a huge success. In the 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!”

– Boris Johnson

Mayor or London

“Thank you to Mr Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who has supported us for the last five years. We are grateful to the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, Moscow City Government and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London. A special word of thank you also to all of our sponsors (Polymetal International, ICT Group, O1 Properties, Lycamobile and Green Mark), who have helped us give so much pleasure to those who love Russian culture.”

– Olga Balakleets

Director of Maslenitsa Festival and President of Ensemble Productions

“It’s crucial to know the traditions of different countries. This is how people can become more united and by learning about other cultures, we can all become friendly with each other.”

-The Buranovskie Babushki

Eurovision 2012 Contestants and Peace-Loving Singing Grannies

Photography Exhibition at London City Hall – Monday 11 March

“There are a number of Russians living in the London and the Maslenitsa festival celebrating spring has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. I was delighted to support Maslenitsa by curating an exhibition for this important event which showcases the best of Russian culture abroad. I decided to select two well-known photographers, one Russian and the other British, to highlight the close cultural ties between our two countries and to present to the public a different perspective of two famous Russian cities with striking and unusual images of Moscow and St Petersburg. This show is also a warm-up for the Year of Russian Culture in the UK in 2014 and builds on the success of last year’s photography exhibition focusing on Russian émigrés living in the capital.”

– Theodora Clarke

Co-Curator and Editor of Russian Art & Culture

“It’s incredibly refreshing to see both artists together in this exhibition. While they are of a similar age, they are from very different artistic paths; Richard Pare has done significant research on Constructivist architecture and is very precise about the exact condition of the buildings he photographs. He knows exactly when the moment is right to take a shot, making it part of a bigger story. Meanwhile, Dimitri Konradt has searched all over St Petersburg for the connection between light and colour. His images let us breathe the air of St Petersburg. Thank you Theodora Clarke and Maslenitsa for giving me the opportunity to present these works in a very appropriate architectural setting [City Hall, London].”

– Anya Stonelake

Co-Curator

Literary Evening at Waterstones – Wednesday 13 March

“We very much enjoyed performing here at Waterstones. The atmosphere was extremely welcoming, warm and attentive – we were fully prepared for people to stand up and come and go during the performance as it was not planned as a formal theatre performance, but rather a literary evening. I am so pleased that the audience was riveted; you could feel the tension in the air! We are so happy to be here as part of Maslenitsa.”

– Maria Koublanova

Praktika Director of International Projects

“The atmosphere was wonderful – Waterstones is a great store, with great people. While you can have poetry and literature anywhere – from London to Moscow to Paris – what is important is to have a reason to share it. It is often difficult to find an occasion to read a poem, it’s almost considered old-fashioned, so we need to create opportunities to do this, and the Maslenitsa Festival is just one such occasion, and a great way to share poetry and literature.”

– Irina Mikhailovskaya

Praktika Script Writer and Actor

Event Sponsors

“We are delighted to be supporting the Maslenitsa Festival in London and providing the opportunity for more people in the United Kingdom to see and experience a range of exciting Russian culture and social events. As a company that has most of its operations in Russia and many of its shareholders in UK, we are keen to see the relationship between the two nations prosper backed by thriving business and cultural cooperation.”

– Vitaly Nesis

CEO of Polymetal International

“The Maslenitsa festival offers audiences in the UK the unique chance to take part in this ancient Russian tradition, and O1 Properties is happy to support this cheerful event.”

– Dimitry Mints

Chairman of the Management Board O1 Properties

“Green Mark is delighted to be associated with the biggest Russian event in the UK. It feels right for Russia’s favourite vodka to be the official drink sponsors of this traditional celebration. Green Mark is made in Russia, with 100% Russian ingredients from a traditional Russian recipe, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the true taste of Russia whilst enjoying a day filled with Russian culture.”

– Hayley Aldous

Senior Brand Manager of Green Mark vodka