Thailand’s Diversity: How the Thai Culture Festival Took Place in Moscow
From August 1 to 3, 2025, the Thai Festival was held in Moscow’s Hermitage Garden – a vibrant event in the capital’s cultural life that helped strengthen humanitarian ties between Russia and Thailand. This year, the festival attracted around 40,000 visitors, and its program introduced Muscovites and city guests to traditional Thai art, cuisine, crafts, and contemporary fashion. Over 150 representatives from Thailand came to Moscow to organize the event.
The official opening ceremony on August 1 took place in a solemn atmosphere, with representatives from both countries in attendance, including Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations. In his welcoming address, he emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue and close bilateral ties between the two capitals and noted the enduring interest of Russians in Thai culture. “It is a great honor for me, on behalf of the Moscow Government, to welcome you to the now‑traditional annual Thai Culture Festival. We are genuinely pleased that not only our capitals are friends, but that ties have also been established with the cultural and economic capital of Northern Thailand – the city of Chiang Mai,” the minister said. He added that Russian tourists value Thailand not only for its unique nature and rich history, but also because “we share the same values with you.”
The festival opened with a performance of the Khon masked theatre – a unique genre of performing arts inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Audiences saw a colourful performance based on the Ramakien epic, in which every movement is infused with deep meaning and refined expression.
Over three days, the stage and tents of Hermitage Park hosted performances by folk ensembles, dance troupes, and musical groups from various regions of Thailand. Dances from the North, South, Central region, and the Northeast, folk songs, drum parades, and concerts by contemporary performers were all presented.
Interest was generated by Muay Thai masterclasses led by one of the most famous representatives of Thai boxing – world champion Buakhao Por Pramuk. He not only demonstrated techniques but also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to introduce Moscow audiences to his country’s culture. After the masterclass, he held a large signing session, during which more than 200 people received autographs. The festival also featured craft workshops: Muscovites were taught tie‑dye scarf techniques, while representatives from Sakon Nakhon demonstrated traditional hand‑weaving and dyeing of Thai fabrics.
The culinary program was an integral part of the festival: a food court with national dishes immersed guests in the atmosphere of Thailand’s street markets. Massaman curry cooking workshops drew many eager to learn the secrets of this richly flavoured dish.
One of the festival’s highlights was a unique fashion show, the result of creative collaboration between leading Thai institutions – Srinakharinwirot University, Suratthani Rajabhat University, and Samui International Tourism School – with the Government of Moscow. The collection artfully combined current global trends with traditional Thai motifs, showcasing a harmonious synthesis of tradition and modernity.
The festival was organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in the Russian Federation, Thai representative offices in Moscow, and provincial administrations of Thailand, with the participation of Thai government organizations: the Creative Economy Agency, the Department of Skill Development of the Ministry of Labour, the Department of Fine Arts, the Government Public Relations Department of Thailand, as well as leading Thai universities. The project was implemented with the support of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, the Department of Culture of Moscow, and the Moscow Centre for International Cooperation.