- Kuwait is working to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the cultural and tourism arena to serve as a bridge for rapprochement and cultural dialogue based on mutual respect and appreciation of the values of art and creativity — Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi
- Russian culture — and music in particular — represents an integral part of the world’s human heritage — Russian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Vladimir Geltov
The Moscow Symphony Orchestra gave an extraordinary performance of one of the most remarkable musical evenings as part of the “Moscow Seasons” festival at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.
The concert captivated the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause throughout the performance and gave the orchestra a standing ovation lasting several minutes at the finale.
Representatives of Moscow City emphasized that the event — attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, along with a large number of officials, ambassadors, and Kuwaiti spectators — marked an important cultural milestone and conveyed a genuine message of friendship between the Russian and Kuwaiti peoples.
Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi expressed his delight at attending the concert, describing it as “a reflection of the distinguished level of relations between Kuwait and the Russian Federation, and a testament to the depth of historical ties binding the two friendly nations.”
He stressed that, under the guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, Kuwait is keen to strengthen cultural and tourism cooperation with Russia.
He added that such evenings “serve as a bridge for cultural rapprochement and dialogue, founded on mutual respect and appreciation of the values of art and creativity.”
Russian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Vladimir Geltov welcomed the audience, describing the event as “a special occasion to enjoy the masterpieces of classical music performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Ivan Rudin.”
He underlined that Russian culture — and music in particular — “is an authentic part of the world’s human heritage, a universal language understood by millions without the need for translation.”
Bolat Nurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman of Moscow’s Tourism Committee, celebrated the launch of “Moscow Seasons” in the Middle East for the first time from Kuwait, coinciding with World Tourism Day. He called the event “not just an artistic performance but a message of friendship linking Moscow and Kuwait.”
He revealed that Moscow welcomed more than 16 million visitors last year, including thousands from the Gulf and Kuwait specifically, inviting Kuwaitis to explore the city’s cultural and tourism opportunities through the Discover Moscow website.
The evening’s program featured a selection of global classical masterpieces, including Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov, The Firebird by Stravinsky, and The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, following the performance of the Kuwaiti and Russian national anthems.
For the first time in the Middle East, Kuwait City is hosting the internationally acclaimed Moscow Seasons Festival, bringing a vibrant celebration of Russian culture, hospitality, and modern lifestyle to local audiences. The festival from 25 to 28 September, marked a historic debut outside Russia’s borders.
The main events centered at The Avenues Mall, Kuwait’s largest shopping destination and one of the most visited malls in the region. At the Grand Plaza, visitors were welcomed into the Moscow Pavilion, an interactive cultural space designed with floral décor and immersive branding.
Highlights of the pavilion included:
Moscow Winter Fairytale Photo Stand – Guests stepped into the magic of a Moscow winter, attaching New Year wishes in Arabic and English, while learning about the city’s seasonal attractions.
Moscow Tea Time Stand – A taste of Russian hospitality with samplings of signature Moscow tea, traditional sweets, and the beloved “Petushok” lollipops.
Discover Moscow Stand – A tourism information hub with VR headsets offered virtual tours of Moscow, Arabic-language brochures, halal-friendly travel guides, and souvenir sticker packs.
Discover Moscow Quest – A daily interactive challenge held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., encouraged visitors to explore the pavilion through tasks like VR experiences, tea tasting, and sharing posts with
Beyond the Avenues Mall, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre played host to the festival’s most prestigious event. On 27 September, coinciding with World Tourism Day, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Ivan Rudin, performed a gala concert featuring masterpieces by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Khachaturian.
The repertoire included Rimsky-Korsakov’s evocative “Scheherazade”, selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty”, Stravinsky’s dazzling “The Firebird”, and Khachaturian’s high-energy “Sabre Dance”.
On 28 September, festival audiences were treated to an educational dimension as pianist Tatiana Sukhareva, a member of the orchestra, leads a master class for students of the College of Basic Education at the Contemporary Art Platform Kuwait, further strengthening cultural exchange between Russia and Kuwait.
The Moscow Seasons Festival in Kuwait City symbolizes a growing cultural dialogue between Russia and the Middle East. By combining family-friendly attractions, immersive cultural showcases, and world-class performances, the festival brings the vibrancy of Moscow closer to Kuwaiti audiences.
Over its four-day program, the event offered not only entertainment but also an invitation for Kuwaiti residents and visitors to discover Moscow’s history, traditions, and contemporary charm — right at the heart of Kuwait.
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