In the frame work of Cultural Diplomacy, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Business and Professional Society in Russia along with "Marfino" Center of Culture and Leisure organized Celebrations of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 17 April 2021, in Moscow while adhering to all necessary sanitary precautions.

"Marfino" Center of Culture and Leisure, located in Moscow region, heartily invited the Embassy to arrange the event at its premises and more than 200 Sri Lankans and Russians participated in the event. Among the guests, there were Russian students of the Center, Russian community of Mytishchinsky District, Sri Lankan students studying in Russian universities and representatives of the Sri Lankan community. The event was organized to raise awareness on Sri Lankan culture among Russians and promote it among general population.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the special holidays for Sri Lanka, which marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the new season. Entire family members get together to celebrate this holiday paying special attention to children. The programme traditionally includes various competitions, demonstration of historical scenes and sharing of specially prepared sweets with loved ones.
The last week event brought back the traditions of celebrating the Sri Lankan New Year in Russia in a magnificent level, after many years. Fun contests were organized for children and youth: running in sacks, pillow fight, breaking the pots, master class of Russian and Sri Lankan dancing, folk singing, competition for the best laugh, best costume and many others.
Professional chefs presented a live cooking show and the audience were offered to taste original Ceylon tea. Sri Lanka-themed photo zone was erected to take pictures and traditional Sri Lankan masks also was show cased.
The second half of event took place in the Concert hall of the Marfino Center, where a group of Russian students of the Center amazed the whole audience by wishing everyone a prosperous New Year by signing a song in Sinhala wearing Russian folk costumes. A panel special juries also chose the New Year Prince and Princess among Sri Lankan and Russian young people. The talented contestants performed national and ballet dances, sang Sri Lankan and Russian songs.
In his speech Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, H. E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, noted that "for the first time the Embassy was able to organize a cultural event with a large community in Russia, allowing the two cultures to interact with each other at such scale". The Ambassador appreciated the tremendous support extended by Sri Lankan Business and Professional Society. Further expressed gratitude for Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lankan Tea Promotion Bureau and Spa Ceylon company for being sponsors of the events.
During this unique event, the Embassy managed not only to create a corner of Sri Lanka on the territory of Russia, but also to acquaint the students of the Marfino Center, their parents and the Center's staff with the unusual traditions and customs of Sri Lanka, with its cultural traits and amazing cuisine.

2 Aw

3 Aw

 

1 Aw

4 Aw7 aw

6 aw

8-aw

 

9

9-1

10

11