Latest news with #Maslenitsa
Muscat Daily
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Spring Festival Maslenitsa to return to Oman annually from 2026
Muscat –The Spring Festival Maslenitsa, a spectacular celebration of Russian culture, is set to return in 2026, officially becoming a recurring annual event in Oman's cultural calendar. In a press statement on Saturday, the organisers confirmed that the next edition will take place on February 6-7, 2026, building on the tremendous success of this year's festival. With over 20,000 visitors in attendance at Al Mouj, Muscat, at the festival that concluded recently, the event promises to become a beloved tradition that strengthens the ties between Russia and Oman while welcoming visitors of all nationalities to experience the vibrant heritage of Maslenitsa. A cultural milestone for Oman and Russia Organised by the Russian House Oman and sponsored by Al Mouj Muscat, with support from Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, as well as the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Government of St. Petersburg, and the Russian Embassy, this year's festival also marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Oman. The festival served as a platform for fostering cultural understanding and strengthening the bonds between the two nations. 'Celebrating this milestone with such a large and diverse crowd made this year's festival particularly significant,' said Igor Egorov, Head of the Russian Community in Oman. 'The event was for all residents of Oman, and we hope it helped deepen the cultural ties between Russia and Oman.' The festival showcased a spectacular blend of tradition and innovation, featuring captivating performances from renowned Russian ensembles such as the St. Petersburg Song and Dance Theatre 'Moroshka' and the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of Dagestan 'Lezginka.' The event served as a vibrant fusion of Russian and Omani cultures, offering a wide range of interactive activities for all ages. H E Russian Ambassador Oleg Levin and H E Secretary General of the National Museum Jamal al Moosawi and other dignitaries including Nasser al Sheibani, CEO of Al Mouj Muscat, Ibrahim bin Saif bani Uraba, Deputy General Manager for Arts at Oman's Ministry of Culture, and Russian officials, including Andrey Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, and Nizami Mamyshev, Deputy Chair of the Committee of External Relations of St. Petersburg attended the event, making it a milestone in Omani-Russian cultural relations. Attendees were invited to immerse themselves in Russian traditions by learning folk dances, dressing in traditional Russian attire and winter clothes for photo opportunities, and participating in cooking workshops where they could master the art of Russian pancakes and sweets. In addition, guests had the chance to try their hand at playing folk musical instruments and crafting iconic Russian Matryoshka dolls, Filimonovo toys and gingerbread decorations. This hands-on experience allowed visitors to engage with the culture in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Platform for local entrepreneurship, sustainability Aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, the festival emphasised sustainability, creativity, and local entrepreneurship. It provided a platform for Omani SMEs, allowing them to showcase their innovative products and services to a global audience. The festival also featured a grand fair where visitors could purchase authentic handmade products and souvenirs from both Russia and Oman. Buoyed by the remarkable success of this year's event, the organisers announced that Spring Festival Maslenitsa will now be an annual tradition in Oman. The next edition, scheduled for February 2026 is expected to attract even more visitors, offering an even grander celebration of culture, unity, and tradition. 'We are excited to make Maslenitsa an annual event here in Oman,' said Anna Popova, Head of the Russian House Oman. 'This year's festival highlighted the growing cultural exchange between Russia and Oman, and we can't wait to bring even more joy and traditions to Oman in 2026.' 'Nearly 100 artists came from Russia specifically for the festival,' added Anna Popova. The festival was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors, including Al Mouj Muscat, Gates of Arabia, Levare, and Oman Oasis, the official hydration partner. The success of the Spring Festival Maslenitsa this year has firmly established itself as a major cultural event in Oman, setting the stage for a long-lasting and vibrant tradition to experience the heritage and joyful spirit of Maslenitsa. For more details, please contact Anna Popova, the head of the Russian House Oman – (968) 7232 4040 or @RussianHouseOman
Observer
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Maslenitsa Festival unites Oman, Russia in cultural celebration
MUSCAT, March 9: The vibrant Maslenitsa Spring Festival, a spectacular celebration of Russian culture, concluded on a high note, captivating an audience of 20,000 at Al Mouj Muscat. The festival brought together Omanis and expatriates from diverse nationalities, offering a rich cultural exchange. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the festival highlighted sustainability, creativity, and local entrepreneurship. It provided a platform for Omani SMEs to showcase their innovative products to a global audience. A grand fair featured authentic handmade products and souvenirs from both Oman and Russia, further enhancing cultural collaboration. Organised by Russian House Oman and supported by the Ministries of Heritage and Tourism, Culture, Sports and Youth, as well as the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Government of St Petersburg, and the Russian Embassy, this year's festival marked the 40th anniversary of Oman-Russia diplomatic relations. It served as a fusion of both cultures, offering interactive activities for all ages. Dignitaries such as Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum; Nasser al Sheibani, CEO of Al Mouj Muscat; and Ibrahim bin Saif Bani Oraba, Deputy General Manager for Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, joined Russian Ambassador Oleg Levin and other officials, including Andrey Malyshev, Russia's Deputy Minister of Culture, and Nizami Mamyshev, Deputy Chair of the Committee of External Relations of St Petersburg, in celebrating this milestone event. Nearly 100 artists from Russia performed at the festival. Speaking to Observer, Igor Egorov, Head of the Russian Community in Oman, emphasised the festival's role in strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. "Maslenitsa was a festival for all residents of Oman, and we hope it deepened the cultural bond between our countries. The overwhelming response made this year's event truly special," he noted. The festival presented a stunning mix of tradition and innovation, featuring performances by renowned Russian ensembles, including St Petersburg's 'Moroshka' Song and Musical Theatre and Dagestan's State Academic Dance Ensemble 'Lezginka.' Visitors immersed themselves in Russian traditions by learning folk dances, dressing in traditional attire, and participating in cooking workshops, where they mastered the art of Russian pancakes and sweets. Hands-on activities included playing folk musical instruments and crafting iconic Russian Matryoshka dolls, Filimonovo toys, and gingerbread decorations, offering an interactive cultural experience. Encouraged by the success of this year's festival, organisers have announced Maslenitsa as an annual event in Oman, with the next edition set for February 2026, promising an even grander celebration of culture, unity, and tradition. "We are thrilled to make Maslenitsa a yearly tradition in Oman," said Anna Popova, Head of the Russian House Oman. "This year's event showcased the growing cultural exchange between Russia and Oman, and we look forward to bringing even more joy and traditions in 2026." In addition to Al Mouj Muscat, Gates of Arabia, Levare, and Oman Oasis were key supporters of the cultural event.
Times of Oman
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Spring Festival Maslenitsa in Oman! Welcome Spring the Russian Way!
Muscat– The much-anticipated Spring Festival "Maslenitsa" took place in Muscat, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Russia while strengthening cultural and business ties between Russia and Oman. Organized by the Russian House in Oman, with the support of Oman's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Government of St. Petersburg, and the Russian Embassy, the festival presented a vibrant display of music, dance, traditions, and culinary experiences. A distinguished Russian delegation participated in the grand opening ceremony, including key representatives from federal and regional executive authorities of the Russian Federation. Among the honored guests were Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Andrey Malyshev, Deputy Chair of the Committee on External Relations of St. Petersburg Nizami Mamyshev, Minister of Culture of the Tula Region Tatyana Rybkina, and other dignitaries. A Celebration of Cultural Exchange 'This year's festival was particularly special as it coincided with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Oman. The largest event ever for the Russian Community. We hope this event served as a platform for fostering deeper cultural understanding and stronger bonds between our two nations. This event is for all residence of Oman along with all nationalities residing in the Sultanate and not limited to the Russian speaking community.' added Igor Egorov, Chairman of the Russian Community in Oman. 'Spring Festival Maslenitsa is not just a festival; it is an immersive cultural experience that allows people to connect with Russian traditions, history, and heritage. We were honored to bring this celebration to Oman for the third consecutive year and were delighted to welcome thousands of visitors,' said Anna Popova, Head of the Russian House in Oman. Exciting Performances and Activities The festival featured performances by renowned Russian ensembles such as the St. Petersburg Song and Dance Theatre "Moroshka" and the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Dagestan "Lezginka." Additionally, as part of the "Russian Seasons" cultural project, theatrical performances and traditional folk music concerts were showcased. Attendees enjoyed a wide range of interactive activities, including: -Learning traditional Russian folk dances -Participating in cooking workshops featuring Russian pancakes and Eastern sweets -Playing traditional Russian folk musical instruments -Experiencing Russian folk crafts, including painting Matryoshka dolls and Filimonovo toys A grand fair was also held, featuring authentic handmade products and souvenirs from both Russia and Oman. Special Features & Partnerships A highlight of the festival was a collaboration with the legendary Russian animation studio "Soyuzmultfilm," bringing to life beloved childhood characters in giant puppet form to delight audiences of all ages. Additionally, an exclusive VIP Majlis was available for sponsors and distinguished guests to network and explore business opportunities. The festival was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors, including Oman Oasis Water, the official hydration partner. Oman Oasis Water, a leading brand in the Sultanate, is known for its commitment to providing pure and high-quality drinking water to Omani residents, ensuring hydration and well-being in every drop. Join the Celebration! With an attendance of over 30,000 visitors, the Spring Festival Maslenitsa delivered an unforgettable experience filled with joy, tradition, and cultural exchange. The public participated in the festivities at Marsa Plaza in Al-Mouj on February 21st and 22nd. The celebrations to be concluded on February 23rd with a special joint concert at Bait Al Zubair in collaboration with the Russian House.
See - Sada Elbalad
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Oman and Bahrain host "Russian Seasons" events
The international cultural project "Russian Seasons" has been launched in the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Residents of these countries had the opportunity to witness spectacular dance performances, take part in masterclasses, and learn more about Russian traditions, TV BRICS, the international media partner of the event, and a partner of Sada El-Balad, reported. In the capital of Oman, Muscat, the city's main square hosted the grand concert programme "The World Through Dance", featuring the legendary State Academic Honoured Dance Ensemble of Dagestan, "Lezginka". Performing in Oman for the first time, the ensemble captivated the audience with its vivid and emotional choreographic numbers, immersing spectators in the atmosphere of the Caucasus. In addition, masterclasses and themed events dedicated to Russian traditions took place at the Spring Festival venue. Residents of Muscat became acquainted with the customs of Russian Maslenitsa, tasted blini (pancakes), learnt the art of painting Tula gingerbread, and tried their hand at making clay toys. The programme continued with engaging educational activities, where children created their own animated films and discovered the secrets of animation. On the stage of the Bahrain National Theatre, the "Lezginka" ensemble presented the same programme as in Oman, performing choreographic compositions such as "Welcoming Lezginka", "My Heart is in the Mountains," "Celebration in a Mountain Village," and "Daggers". The concert was met with enthusiastic applause from the local audience. Children in Bahrain also took part in masterclasses on creating animated films, with more than 60 children participating over two days. Professional animators from Russia delivered lectures on new technologies in animation, sparking interest among local specialists. "I am delighted to provide a platform for joint projects between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and 'Russian Seasons.' Our programme includes events for children, where they create their own animated films based on Russian folklore. I just attended such an event at the library and saw how passionately Bahraini schoolchildren engaged in the activity! I look forward to further collaboration with 'Russian Seasons'," said Haya Ahmed Al Sadah, Director of the National Museum of Bahrain. The "Russian Seasons" events in Oman and Bahrain will continue throughout the year. This large-scale project, initiated by the Government of Russia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, aims to introduce international audiences to the country's rich cultural heritage through concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, film festivals, educational programmes, and other events.
