The Days of UAE Culture that were launched on Manezh Square, one of the central locations of the “Summer in Moscow” project, concluded on high note. The rich programme was designed to introduce the guests and residents of the capital to the national heritage.
After the official opening, an Emirati wedding show was presented to the audience – showing the wedding traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation in the UAE for many decades.
The bride is dressed in a traditional dress and the women take her to the groom’s house. There, national rituals are performed. For example, “Ayala,” where people line up in two rows facing each other and collectively dance and sing to the sound of tambourines and drums.
Performances of Al Otaiba and Al Mazyoud bands
In addition, the participants of the event were able to enjoy the performance of Al Otaiba and Al Mazyoud bands, admire a fashion show with Emirati music, taste national treats and popular UAE dishes, get acquainted with crafts and sights of the country, get a temporary henna tattoo and enjoy the stunning views of the UAE at a photo exhibition.
Emirati bands performed on Manezh Square, national traditions were demonstrated and various master classes were produced. On the first evening the festival was attended by more than 40 thousand people, and by over 300,000 over entirety of the event.
The current programme is intended to be part of a large cycle of events held on a reciprocal basis within the framework of bilateral interaction between the countries. It is being developed within the framework of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States (GCC).
The two sides are also actively developing relations in the tourism sector. Travellers from the UAE do not need a visa to enter Russia.
In 2023 alone, 42.2 thousand tourists visited Moscow. As of early February, there were 150 flights a week from the capital to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Moscow, a top tourist destination
Moscow is an important tourist destination in the international arena.
Foreign tourist traffic in 2023 totaled 2.3 million people, most often coming from China, India, CIS countries and the Middle East.
To strengthen international ties, the capital participates in major profile exhibitions, organizes projects and events aimed at foreign audiences. This year alone, a business mission to the UAE was held on February 7, and in May the Moscow delegation took part in the ATM exhibition in Dubai.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
