A Maslenitsa festival celebration event is held in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing

On March 15, celebrations of the Maslenitsa, a traditional Russian festival celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring, kicked off in the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing.

As part of the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Cultural Exchange Year, the event aimed to showcase authentic Russian culture and performances by Cossack music bands to the public, allowing attendees to deeply appreciate the rich and diverse traditions as well as the cultural charm of Russia.

The event featured various activities, including tasting sessions of Russian specialty drinks and cuisine, traditional Russian music performances, and a masterclass in the art of opening bottles with military knives.

In addition, a Maslenitsa celebration event was also held in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. About 2,000 people participated in this festive gathering, with groups such as the Moscow Cossack Choir and circus troupes presenting various artistic performances.

A large scale exhibition and sale of Russian folk handicrafts and souvenirs were also organized at the event.The festival was also celebrated in Qingdao, Shanghai , Guangzhou, and Harbin.

Global Times