London is a cultural melting-pot and its diverse population has made significant contributions to the life and vitality of the UK’s capital city. Over the last few years Londoners have witnessed an influx of Russians into the city as Russian immigration has steadily increased since glasnost. Similarly, the British are visiting Russia and discovering for themselves this intriguing country that was, and to an extent still is, shrouded in mystery.
As a result, there is an increasing interest in Russian life and culture in our capital city – but where to find it? Here are a few suggestions which will get the keen Russophile started on what will no doubt become a lifelong journey.
Annual Russian Festival in Trafalgar Square
This festival is held every spring in London’s Trafalgar Square. It is based on Maslenitsa, or the annual Russian Sun Festival. This festival welcomes the spring, the sun, hope for the future and the melting away of the severe Russian winter. Despite our more benevolent climate, the London version of Maslenitsa loses none of its basic love of life. For a really entertaining and lively taster of Russian cultural life, this is the place to be. You can wander amongst the crowds soaking up the atmosphere, listening to all genres of Russian music and dance, and sampling Russian food and drink. Maslenitsa is a wonderful opportunity to experience a little bit of Russian life in the heart of London .
London Meetup Groups – Find Russian Groups
Meetup Groups are a relatively new phenomenon but they have taken off like wildfire in most western capitals. This umbrella organisation uses the internet to allow those with particular interests to meet like-minded people. They get together regularly to take part in activities relevant to their cultural leanings. This could involve travel to places of interest, meetings in pubs or restaurants, visits to the theatre, cinema and galleries. The choices are endless. Meetup groups are a good way to expand your network of activities and make instant new friends which could otherwise be particularly difficult in a big city. By using the Meetup search engine you can find plenty of groups with an interest in Russia, even ballroom dancing with a Russian instructor!
Pushkin House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1
Named after the illustrious Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin, Pushkin House works hard to preserve Russian culture in London. The house is an attractive building in Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, where regular events take place, including films, poetry readings, lectures, variety evenings and art exhibitions, to name but a few. On the ground floor there is a cosy reference library and a beautiful staircase leads up to the lecture rooms on the first floor. Pushkin House also plays host to lectures given by the Pushkin Club and the GB-Russia Society as well as the Russian Language Centre. It really is a very welcoming place – a quiet sanctuary in leafy Bloomsbury.
Academia Rossica
Academia Rossica is a marvellous resource if you want to keep right up to date with all Russian events not only in London, but in Russia and sometimes in the USA too. They also feature various cultural reviews, as well as informative articles for those wishing to improve their knowledge of Russian issues. It’s well worth signing up for Academia Rossica's newsletter and their journal, Rossica, is a high quality publication featuring articles on Russian culture past and present.
Intourist UK
Intourist is a well-established, reliable travel company specialising in Russian tours. In its early day it had strong connections to the British Communist Party, and was able to take 'suitable' tourists into Russia (or the Soviet Union, as it was then known) at a time when it was virtually impossible to enter the country. Nowadays it is a conventional travel company with a website that carries some information about cultural events in London and Russia. Although not as extensive as Academia Rossica or Pushkin House, it is still a useful source.
Hopefully these few suggestion will help to fuel the Russian flame and encourage you to join in some fabulous cultural events in London.
