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Defender of the Homeland Day in Moscow's Parks

Across all of Moscow parks this Tuesday, a variety of events are taking place to mark the holiday, Defenders of the Homeland. Given the nature of the holiday, there is a definite military component to the events. But there are activities for every age and interest group, especially the younger set. And if the activities don't grab your attention, you can simply enjoy a winter day in the outdoors. For more detailed information, click on the links below or mosgor-park.ru.

Gorky Park

Take a tour of an exhibition dedicated to the park during the war, displaying a selection of armaments captured between 1943 and 1948. Free with online registration.

Gorky Park. Ulitsa Krimsky Val. Metro Oktyabrskaya, Park Kultury. history@park-gorkogo.com. Hourly tours from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Park Iskusstv Muzeon

Across the road you can join an excursion detailing the history and construction of monuments devoted to the defense of the Motherland during the war. Examples include "We Demand Peace" by Vera Mukhina and the Motherland statue in Volgograd. Free with online registration.

Park Iskusstv Muzeon. Ulitsa Krimsky Val. Metro Oktyabrskaya, Park Kultury. muzeon.ru. At 1 p.m.

Sokolniki Park

This year's annual Sledding Battle, themed "Defenders of Peace," will feature participants racing 200 meters down the mountains and competing in a tubing race. Cheer on your favorites.

Sokolniki Park. Sokolnichesky Val. Metro Sokolniki. park.sokolniki.com. At noon.

Izmailovsky Park

Does your child fancy a career putting out fires? Then bring your little fire fighter to the park at 2 p.m. and watch a miniature fire brigade extinguish real flames. The kids will also have a race to see who can put on a fire suit the quickest. Starting at noon, kids have the opportunity to learn how to make presents like tanks and planes out of paper and other household materials for their dad.

Izmailovsky Park. Alleya Bolshogo Kryga. Metro Izmailovsky. izmailovsky-park.ru. At noon.

Kuzminki Park

Come here for some martial activities. Your kids can take part in a variety of sporting activities, including hand-to-hand combat, master-classes on handling a saber, and target shooting with laser rifles.

Kuzminki Park. Ulitsa Kuzminsky Park. Metro Volzhskaya. park-kuzminki.ru. Most events begin at 1 p.m.

Perovsky Park

Men get feted on Tuesday in Perovsky Park — in a manner of speaking. There will be fitness sessions for men and a chance for them to swing a sword in a battle re-enactment. Also on offer are hockey lessons and a floorball competition (hockey without ice and skates).

Perovsky Park. Ulitsa Lazo. Metro Perovo. At noon.

Babushkinsky Park

Now here's something you don't get a chance to do every day: Try on some chain mail and participate in a mock battle all while listening to a performance from the wind orchestra Vivat and the Moscow Cossack Choir! A field kitchen will be serving hot food and drinks.

Babushkinsky Park. Ulitsa Menzhinskogo. Metro Babushkinskaya. bapark.ru. At 2 p.m.

Severnoye Tushino Park

Listen to a performance of a military band and try the grub served up in a field kitchen. Children will have the opportunity learn how to make fisherman's knots.

Severnoye Tushino Park. Ulitsa Svobody. Metro Skhodnenskaya. At 1 p.m.

Contact the author at artsreporter@imedia.ru

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