4th Annual Russian Winter Festival
Trafalgar Square, London,
13 January 2008
The Russian Winter Festival has now become an important annual fixture for the London public. Each year, it has attracted record crowds who are treated to a multifarious look at Russian culture, from modern pop stars and indie rock, to folk groups, street theatre and military marching bands.
The Russian Winter Festival 2008 will prove no exception to the rule. Just as the reputation of the event has grown and still grows within London, the UK, the British Isles, and indeed across Europe, so the festival has attracted the attention of a vast number of talented performers from around the Russian Federation. Seeking to unite the young with the old; the future with the past; the east with the west, the Russian Winter Festival looks far afield for the creative spirit it brings to London. It holds open arms to the varieties of culture, language and style to be found within the vast land mass of the Russian Federation, hoping that they too will enthrall the London audiences with their diversity of spirit and expression. Vying for their chance to charm Nelson from his column, new artists will quit their snowy climes to head for ‘foggy Albion’ as England is lovingly dubbed in Russian, to follow in the footsteps of the Russian masters of performance who have already played to the packed audiences of Trafalgar Square. Returning artists, keen to recapture the atmosphere of Russian passion and fresh winter energy that they have experienced in London in previous years will vouch for the celebratory importance of the occasion.
On Sunday January 13th Trafalgar Square will once again be filled with the waft of warming blinis (Russian pancakes) and pirozhkis (Russian pies), borsch (beetroot soup) and shashlik (Russian kebabs), all the more enticing in the romantic crisp wintery air, deepened with the incense of burning orthodox church candles. Whilst not too crowded, visiting children will be treated to the delights of Russian street games and puppet theatre, wandering street entertainers and musicians. Festival goers will shop for unique Russian trinkets and souvenirs and learn how to plan their once in a lifetime trip to the homeland of their hosts. Once the numbers grow and the atmosphere becomes more festive yet, genuine Russian beer will flow from the pumps and tea urns will steam to the festival beat.
No Russian Winter Festival would be complete without the chiming New Year bells that yield a special theatrical surprise once the sun has set. From trapeze dances to laser shows, projections to army choirs and dancing cadet bands, the New Year moment of 2008 will herald no less excitement for all in attendance.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities please contact the Russian Winter Festival Team at +44 (0) 20 7183 2560 or e-mail : info@eventica.co.uk
