Wafi Mall celebrating Russian Matryoshka Festival from March 3-12

The sights, sounds, smells and taste of traditional Russia come alive at Wafi Mall in Dubai as the Matryoshka Festival returns, running from March 3-12, a celebration of spring and vibrant colours coinciding with a spotlight on Russia’s dynamic culture.

The festival is named after the traditional Matryoshka, or Russian doll, where figurines of descending size nestle into one another. Originating from 1890 when the folk crafts painter Vasily Zvyozdochkin made the first one, the Matryoshka are known for their intricate paintwork and have become a staple export of Russian culture.

The atmosphere of traditional Muscovite Yarmarkas – or open-air markets – is brought to life, with an array of Russian brands descending in the mall. The smallest details have been heeded to create an absorbing celebration of folk culture and high street fashion.

The event also coincides with a celebration of women on International Women’s Day. The festival will fete eight women for talent, beauty, charitable works, aesthetics and contribution to society.

“Wafi Mall is a destination for experiences, celebration and family activities. Our strategy has always been to go beyond retail to bring the community together. The free-to-attend Matryoshka Festival aims to create a memorable experience for families and visitors of all ages, says said Wafi Mall’s head of central marketing Layla Al Harmoudi.

“The 2016 Matryoshka Festival is bigger, better and more engaging than the debut event, and is already being met with extremely strong interest. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Wafi Mall this March,” she adds.

The Matryoshka Festival will see thousands of visitors mingling with the celebrities flying in from Russia. Ex Miss Russia Victoria Lopyreva is the face of the festival, and will be present at the opening.

A celebrated contingent of famous designers including Kristina Fidelskaya, Elena Burba, Irina Soprano (Solo atelier), Olga Osipenko and Yuliya Sudakova will showcase the latest in haute couture, evening, and casualwear. The festival line up also includes sports star, Anastasia Grebenkina, renowned figure skater in Russia and the world; finest and one of the exceptional romantic singers, Irina Dubtsova; and proficient beauty specialist Olga Romanova.

Other events include special weekend shows, tours for school children and painting master classes where audiences will learn to decorate their own traditional Matryoshka dolls. A special showcase will see modern art masters from Russia paint a giant Matryoshka set collaboratively, highlighting the intricate brushwork that goes into decorating the dolls.