MOSCOW, Aug. 20, 2026: Traditional Emirati music, crafts, food and maritime heritage are being presented to the public in the centre of Moscow this week, as the five-day Doorway to Abu Dhabi festival brings performers and artisans from the United Arab Emirates to Russia's capital.
The festival opened on August 19 at Manezhnaya Square and continues through August 23 as part of Moscow's Summer in Moscow programme. It is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi with support from the Government of Moscow and the UAE Embassy in Russia.
In the heart of Moscow.. The Abu Dhabi Festival kicks off to introduce visitors to the culture of the Emirates and its rich heritage. 🇦🇪
— Dr. Bu Abdullah (@Dr_BuAbdullah) August 19, 2026
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Visitors are being introduced to traditional Emirati performing arts including Al-Ayyala and Al Harbiya, alongside demonstrations of talli embroidery, khoos palm-leaf weaving, sadu weaving and pottery. Al-Ayyala is included on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A House of Artisans at the festival is allowing visitors to watch traditional skills being practised and to participate in workshops under the guidance of artisans. The programme also includes a maritime pavilion displaying aspects of the UAE's seafaring heritage, including pearl diving, fishing and traditional rope-making.
The presentation extends beyond performances. Traditional Emirati food and hospitality are being demonstrated, with Arabic coffee and dishes including madrouba, dango and arseea among the offerings. A 360-degree immersive dome is also giving visitors a visual introduction to Abu Dhabi's cultural sites, landscapes and landmarks.
*"طريقكم لاكتشاف أبوظبي" يجسّد الثقافة الإماراتية في قلب موسكو* 🇷🇺🤝🇦🇪
— 🇦🇪 عمر الساعدي (@OMAlsaedi) August 19, 2026
تحت شعار «طريقكم لاكتشاف أبوظبي»، انطلقت في العاصمة الروسية موسكو فعاليات «أيام الثقافة الإماراتية» خلال الفترة من 19 إلى 23 أغسطس 2026، في ساحة المانيج بالساحة الحمراء، لتقدم للجمهور تجربة ثقافية وسياحية… pic.twitter.com/CG0N8C0FIP
The festival is taking place against increasingly active links between the UAE and Russia. Bilateral trade reached approximately $14 billion in 2025, while the number of Emirati visitors to Russia increased by 54 percent in 2024 to about 67,000. More than 325 scheduled flights a week currently connect the two countries through about 25 destinations, according to figures cited in connection with the Moscow event.
The Moscow programme gives the cultural relationship a public dimension, putting Emirati traditional arts and heritage directly before Russian audiences while the festival remains open to the public through August 23.
