Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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In the sixth season of the festival Moscow Estates, which ran from December 1 to February 28, the festival's dedicated spaces in the city center, as well as the new winter route "Moscow Estate," were particularly popular with guests. Additionally, a daily events program was implemented for the first time on the grounds of the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve.
Getting to Know History
The new interactive route "Moscow Estate," created in partnership with the Yandex Go app, connects 14 historic mansions in the capital—from well-known museum-reserves to sites beloved by Moscow connoisseurs. Among them are the Khitrovo House, home to the A.S. Pushkin Memorial Apartment, the Razumovsky Palace, the I.S. Turgenev House-Museum, and the Tolstoy Estate Museum in Khamovniki.
Each participant was given a special map. Visitors navigated to designated areas, purchased tickets at the estate box offices or through the Russpass service, and collected stamps. Collected stamps could be exchanged for gifts: Moskva tea, a branded thermos mug, and a speaker, as well as a chance to enter a drawing for a tea party with actor Miloš Biković.
The winter route successfully integrated the historic estates into the city's everyday life. Thanks to game mechanics, an educational program, and a rewards system, the mansions became popular with a wide range of residents. Participants included families with children, students, retirees, and military personnel. Some guests completed the route twice. For example, one participant collected five stamps the first time and received a cup of "Moscow" tea, and the second time, she exchanged seven stamps for a thermos.
The project's impact was also noted by staff at the participating estates. This winter, there was a noticeable increase in visitor numbers, including those previously uninterested in museum culture. Small historic estates, for example, saw a 1.2- to 2-fold increase in visitor numbers. These included the Vasilchikov Estate, the Lopukhin-Stanitskoy Estate, and the Khitrovo Family House. The A.I. Herzen House Museum showed particularly impressive results: the total number of visitors there increased approximately sixfold.
"I really love this festival. This is my fourth time attending: twice in the summer and twice in the winter. The route is excellent, a wonderful event for both children and adults. Everything is very atmospheric, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Whoever you talk to, they answer with a smile," a Moscow resident said about her experience.
Noble heritage outside the center
For the first time, the festival had a flagship venue—the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. Throughout the winter, a retro photography studio, estate post office, shooting range, and photo zones were open there, along with a noble promenade. On weekends, master classes, tours, and street theater performances were held. The highlight of the New Year's holidays was a noble ball, where guests were taught the polonaise, mazurka, and waltz. On Maslenitsa, folk festivities and a festive concert were held here.
The program also attracted international guests: students from China, travelers from India, Australia, and Egypt, as well as foreign bloggers, visited the museum-reserve.
A family from Australia shared that they came to celebrate New Year's and accidentally stumbled upon a site where they were able to experience the spirit of Russian culture, which left a lasting impression. Guests from the Urals said it was their first visit to Kolomenskoye and they were absolutely delighted. They danced the mazurka and waltz, tried on costumes, and soaked up the festive atmosphere. A Chinese student said she was most impressed by the estate's post office—she even wrote a letter—and found the site itself incredibly beautiful.
Opera performances and quests with augmented reality
Another highlight of the Moscow Estates festival's winter season was the opera "Tea with the Countess," performed at the Petrovsky Travel Palace. Audiences had the opportunity to explore the interiors of the historic building, usually closed to the public, and to learn about Moscow tea-drinking and hospitality traditions through a theatrical journey.
This season, organizers offered residents and tourists the opportunity to explore the city's history not only at the festival venues, but also through audio guides, podcasts, audio performances narrated by theater and film actors, and online augmented reality quests through the capital's historic districts.
The festival expanded beyond the historic estates and opened temporary spaces at the central venues of the "Winter in Moscow" project. Thematic information zones appeared on Bolotnaya Square and Tverskoy Boulevard, while a festive photo studio, "Moscow Estates," opened on Manezhnaya Square. Guests could visit a retro photo studio, try on images from bygone eras, and take a memorable photo to take home. Manezhnaya Square also featured the "Silver Rose" literary salon, where actors read iconic prose and poetry from the early 20th century, and a post office at the estate.
The guests included not only Muscovites and tourists from other regions of Russia, but also foreigners—visitors from China, India, the UAE, Vietnam, Iran, Serbia, Croatia, the CIS, and other countries. Students from Beijing said they had long been interested in Russian culture and learned about the festival from Chinese social media. They were especially excited to try on costumes and take photos.
The Moscow Estates Festival first took place in 2023. Over the course of six seasons, it has included over 50 historic mansions, former noble estates, and royal residences.
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Winter in Moscow — the main event of the past season. The project aims to strengthen social and family ties, create an atmosphere of unity and mutual support, and provide assistance to those currently defending the Motherland. Through a variety of programs, including cultural, educational, and sporting events, it brings together Muscovites and visitors of all ages and interests, creating an environment for creative development, active recreation, and warm communication. Particular attention is paid to supporting participants and veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as all those providing assistance to the front.
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