Rhythms of Salsa and Bachata: A Festival of Latin American and Caribbean Culture in Moscow

The Latin American and Caribbean Culture Festival, taking place in Moscow from July 19 to 27, promises to be one of the brightest, most dynamic, and unforgettable events of the summer.

On July 19 and 20, the festival’s main venue – Hermitage Garden – will be transformed into a vibrant world of Latin American color and rhythm. Visitors will be immersed in the unique culture of the region through national colors, live music, the aromas of Latin American cuisine, and an atmosphere of true celebration. A magical world of traditions and customs will come alive through interactive workshops, contests, lectures, and themed photo zones. Admission is free.

The official opening ceremony will take place on July 19 at 1:00 PM on the Main Stage of Hermitage Garden, featuring representatives of the Government of Moscow and ambassadors of Latin American countries.

The festival’s main stage will showcase spectacular musical and dance performances. Audiences can expect a true carnival of rhythm and emotion. Highlights include Hot Havana Orchestra and Eduardo Breff & Su Son del Son (Cuba), Tangovsky Project (Argentina), singer Karen Sosa Limones (Ecuador), and Colombian star María Mulata. Folk ensembles from Paraguay and Venezuela, recognized internationally for their authentic performances, will also take part. The Ibero-American Folkloric Ballet of Paraguay and the “Romera Botini” Dance Ensemble from Venezuela will present the rich heritage of their national traditions through dance, costume, and music. Virtuoso Venezuelan guitarists, the Colina brothers, will bring the poetic fire of South America to the stage with their “Gustavo Colina” project. Performers from Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Bolivia will contribute to the musical and dance extravaganza.

For those wishing to learn Latin American dances, top schools will offer exciting masterclasses. Samba Real from Brazil will teach sensual tango, rhythmic salsa, passionate bachata, smooth kizomba, and fiery rumba.

In addition to dancing, guests can enjoy creative workshops. Children can make colorful Cuban necklaces, dreamcatchers, and carnival masks, or paint traditional fans and crafts under the guidance of skilled artisans. These workshops will offer cultural insight and unique, handmade souvenirs.

A full entertainment program for all ages will turn the festival into a family adventure. Each day from noon to 7:00 PM, Hermitage Garden will host a face painting area where professional artists will create carnival-themed masks, floral patterns, animals, and fantasy designs. These vivid artworks will add to the festive spirit and make memorable photos.

Adding to the festival’s atmosphere there will be charismatic performers in elaborate costumes, who will interact with the crowd and infuse the space with positive energy.

Among the most thrilling events will be freestyle football masterclasses on July 19 and 20. Guests will have the chance to feel like football stars, inspired by legends such as Maradona, Pelé, Messi, Ronaldinho, and Neymar. The program includes a spectacular trick show by Russian freestyle champions, interactive challenges, sports relays, and exciting “spectators vs. freestylers” matches for guests of all ages, starting from 5 years old.

Also, on July 19 and 20, visitors can explore Brazilian capoeira—an art that fuses dance, game, and martial arts. Join performances and open classes from the Russian Capoeira Center and witness this mesmerizing blend of rhythm and acrobatics.

Children aged 5–12 will love the “Indian Village” quest. For two hours, young explorers will dive into the ancient world of Latin American tribes, complete with authentic costumes, vivid decorations, and tribal legends. They’ll hunt for totems, navigate a maze of wisdom, decode ancient messages, and complete team challenges – gaining teamwork skills, leadership, and cultural awareness through a thrilling adventure.

The festival’s lecture hall invites all guests on a journey through the cultural richness of the region. Learn basic Spanish, uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations, and delve into the region’s history. Discover tourist routes, vibrant carnivals, Argentine maté traditions, and Latin American fashion trends.

At the food court, guests can savor Latin American cuisine: fresh ceviche, crispy tequeños, aromatic burritos and fajitas, and warm empanadas. Cool off with exotic fruit lemonades, taste premium chocolate from Venezuela and Ecuador, and enjoy freshly brewed regional coffee and cocoa.

The Latina Market will offer authentic regional goods – from Mexican masks and traditional sombreros to stylish accessories. Themed stalls will sell regional products like chocolate, cocoa, tea, and spices.

Guests can even send a colorful postcard from Moscow to anywhere in the world, thanks to a special initiative by Russian Post.

Margarita Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature will host a rich cultural and educational program: meetings with embassy representatives, lectures by diplomats, masterclasses, film screenings, and presentations. Events include talks by ambassadors from Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay, creative workshops on the Spanish language, and showcases of Cuban and Nicaraguan traditions. Highlights include the presentation of Brazilian novels The Flight of the Red Flamingo and Macunaíma, a tango show, and a journey into Chilean folklore. Starting July 21, the library will also host the Voices of Latin America art exhibition and The Many Faces of Mexico in the Marble Hall. Events will take place across the Rudomino Academy, Book Club, BRICS+ Media Center, and Ibero-American Cultural Center. The program encompasses a wide range of formats and themes, offering Muscovites and visitors to the capital a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s atmosphere through literature, music, dance, gastronomy, and visual arts. On July 21 at 5:00 PM, the opening of the Latin American and Caribbean Culture Festival will take place at the Book Club in the “Foreign Literature Library”.

From July 22 to 27, the III Latin American and Caribbean Film Festival will unfold across major Moscow venues, showcasing 23 films from 11 countries, including Argentina, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, and – for the first time – El Salvador. The festival’s diverse selection will spotlight the uniqueness and artistic voice of Latin American cinema through documentaries, feature films, shorts, and animation.

The Illusion Cinema will feature both modern and classic films from Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador, and more – ranging from drama and comedy to music and history, reflecting each nation’s identity.

The Tretyakov Gallery will screen artistic and rare documentaries such as The Forgottenby Luis Buñuel (Mexico), Andaki: Road of Life (Colombia), and new films from Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.

ROSIZO will present a special program, Hits of Past Festivals, featuring audience favorites like Gunguna (Dominican Republic), A World for Julius (Peru), Loser (Ecuador), and short films from Colombia that capture the spirit of youth.

This festival is a major cultural event fostering dialogue with friendly nations and enhancing cultural exchange. It aims to strengthen partnerships and lay a foundation for long-term cooperation in cinema and the arts.

All screenings are free with advanced registration via the Illusion Cinema, Tretyakov Gallery, or ROSIZO websites. The full program is available on the Telegram channel: https://t.me/latina_kinofest.

The festival is organized by the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation, with support from the Department of Culture of Moscow, Latin American and Caribbean embassies, Gosfilmofond of Russia, ROSIZO, the Tretyakov Gallery, the House of Latin America, Moscow Government University, and Margarita Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature.

Media partners include Moskva FM 92.0 and Radio Moscow.

Press accreditation for the 2025 Festival: https://forms.yandex.ru/u/66bb49f6e010db4f9c6c4a57

More details can be found on the official website: https://www.latina-fest.ru/