If you are yet to experience the beautiful summer weather in Moscow's parks, this weekend will be the perfect chance. Saturday is Moscow's "Youth Day" and festivities will be kicking off in 21 of the city's green spaces in an ode to Russia's younger population.
Created in 1958 as the "Day of Soviet Youth," nowadays Youth Day is an opportunity to enjoy a bumper crop of cultural activities in Moscow's parks and boulevards. Regardless of the name, the vast array of activities and spectacles are sure to entice visitors of all ages, with concerts, open air theater and festivals just some of the events on the program. Here's a rundown of what's on and where.
At Gorky Park, test the technology of the future by immersing yourself in virtual reality. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the music of German pop group Golf at Muzeon Arts Park. There will also be a film being shot in Gorky park if you fancy trying your hand at amateur dramatics. The virtual reality activity will open at noon on Saturday, while Golf performs at 8 p.m.
If you're not a pop fan, the creative group Le Cirque De Charles La Tannes will be staging a musical production of Pushkin's Yevgeny Onegin at the playground in Muzeon park at 10 p.m.
A festival of theater performances and workshops on acting will take place on both Saturday and Sunday in Krasnaya Presnya from noon to 9 p.m. One group whose self-described style is "electro-cabaret" will be performing, and a dramatic ensemble from the Meyerhold center in Moscow will perform the play "Country of Moscow."
If acting combined with feats of endurance interests you, be sure to stop by Perovsky Park for a theater marathon entitled "Green Stage." It will feature a number of performances from prominent street theater groups.
Sokolniki Park boasts the most diverse range of activities this weekend. The park will be divided into four zones, each of which with its own distinct theme.
In the extreme zone, biking and roller skating are on offer, while in the film zone performances celebrating 2016 as the Year of Russian Cinema will provide some more sedentary entertainment. Whether you choose the physical or cultural exercise, grab some food from pop-up food stalls and enjoy music from hip-hop artists Natan and Misha Martin starting at 5 p.m.
If you're looking to walk away from the day with some new skills — or a revamped CV — head to the graffiti zone to watch professional street artists at work. You can then listen to seminars from young entrepreneurs offering their experience and advice on the world of business.
The Moscow Hermitage Garden, Fili park and Kuzminki park host the lion's share of the day's more athletic events, with performances and workshops on freestyle parkour, BMX, soccer, basketball and skateboarding.
Wherever the day takes you, there will be no shortage of new things to try and experience around Moscow. Besides the events mentioned above, others activities will take place at Lianozovsky park, Izmailovsky park, Victory park and Sadovniki park.
For more information in English about the parks, see moscow.info/parks. For more information in Russian about the parks and youth day, see mosgor-park.ru.
Contact the author at artsreporter@imedia.ru
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
