Doorway to Abu Dhabi Festival draws 580,000+ visitors to Moscow

The Doorway to Abu Dhabi Festival, held at Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, Russia, has welcomed more than 580,000 visitors, demonstrating strong public interest in Emirati culture and further strengthening cultural and tourism ties between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.

Presented by Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi as part of the Summer in Moscow programme, and supported by the Government of Moscow and the Embassy of the UAE in the Russian Federation, the free public festival brought together Emirati gahwa roasting and serving experiences traditional crafts and performing arts, Emirati culinary and interactive cultural experiences in the heart of the Russian capital.

One of the festival’s key attractions was an immersive domed pavilion featuring spectacular 360-degree projections of Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites, natural landscapes and award-winning attractions. The cultural programme also included performances by Emirati musicians, traditional performances such as Al-Ayyala and Al Harbiya, and appearances by renowned Emirati singer and composer Fayez Al Saeed.

Visitors explored Emirati heritage through interactive experiences, including handicraft sessions featuring talli (traditional embroidery), khoos (palm-leaf weaving), sadu (traditional weaving) and pottery, Emirati gahwa (coffee) ceremonies by Bait Al Gahwa, maritime crafts and henna art.

The festival also introduced guests to traditional Emirati cuisine, with dishes such as arseea and madrouba (two types of savoury porridge) and desserts including, dango (sweet rice dumplings), luqaimat (sweet fried dumplings), ranjeena (a traditional date dessert) and Emirati dates.

In 2025, Moscow welcomed more than 167,000 visitors from GCC countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The Moscow City Tourism Committee continues to strengthen cooperation with the region through destination promotion, business missions, industry partnerships and cultural initiatives.

The 2026 festival continued the cultural exchange between Moscow and Abu Dhabi. In 2024, UAE Culture Days, held at Manezhnaya Square from 28 June to 2 July, attracted more than 300,000 residents and visitors over five days.

The Doorway to Abu Dhabi Festival invited visitors to discover the culture, heritage, creativity and hospitality that make Abu Dhabi one of the world’s most distinctive destinations.