Moscow has been host to the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade for over twenty years. It is the only international event of its kind to be officially included in the Moscow City Government cultural calendar. Over the years the parade has taken place on some of Moscow’s most iconic streets and parks but it has recently found what is thought to be a long term home at Sokolniki Park in the centre of the city.
The Embassy works closely with the Irish Business Club in the organising of the parade, which regularly includes performers and musicians from Ireland in its programme of events. The parade attracts thousands of Russians interested in Ireland, many of whom come along dressed in traditional Irish colours to soak up a uniquely Irish atmosphere in the middle of Moscow. The parade for next year is provisionally scheduled for Saturday 14 March 2015 so keep your diary free!
The Saint Patrick’s Day period also includes the Irish Week of events. The annual film festival has been joined in recent years by a comedy festival (featuring performances by Dylan Moran and Dara O Brian) and the Ticket 2 Dublin music festival (featuring top Irish bands such as The Walls, Little Green Cars and Cathy Davey). In addition, local organisations such as Veresk put on a number of Irish events over the course of Irish Week that feature some of the best of traditional Irish music and dance.
Sharing our national Day and our identity with Russia We celebrate our rich culture and heritage and we’re proud of its influence on world literature, art and music. St. Patrick’s Day is a great chance for us to share our culture with others, especially where there is less awareness of Ireland. Our Embassy staff work closely with Culture Ireland to stage many cultural events around St. Patrick's Day, drawing lots of positive publicity for Irish culture and for Ireland as a place to visit, study and do business.
Promoting Ireland at the highest levels One of our great strengths as a country is our people. During the St. Patrick's Day period, visits by Government Ministers promote awareness and confidence in Ireland's economy, as well as showcase what we have to offer as a nation. Such high level visitors take part in a range of different political meetings and events, including on trade, tourism and investment opportunities, media interviews, networking events, and bilateral meetings with national, regional and local ministers, along with other high-profile events..