Summer in Moscow

This is the latest in a series of columns from new Fayette County resident Julia Thiessen, who grew up in Russia.

In contrast with Texas, the weather in Moscow can be very different in the summer. It can be in the 50s or in the 80s and it is sometimes very unpredictable. I can remember one June when we had snow and were wearing winter sweaters. I know it is something you cannot even imagine with the long and hot summers in La Grange.

So, Moscow takes advantage of the few warm months even though the summer may be very short. There is a festival that takes place all over Moscow, in the parks, boulevards, and embankments, that is called ‘Summer in Moscow.’ You can find all kinds of activities depending on your interests such as sporting events, theatre performances, movies shown in the parks, concerts, tours, etc. The beauty of these events is that you can visit many of them free of charge. Moscow changes dramatically in summer. There are decorations everywhere, flowers of all kinds on a wide variety of frames and pots that give Moscow a very bright and colorful look with elegance. The city builds stages in the parks and boulevards with amphitheaters for people to sit and enjoy the performances.

There are dozens of performances all over Moscow every day with online schedules allowing you to choose your preferred event. One problem that happens frequently is that there may not be enough seating spaces. But, if the weather allows, you can sit on the grass and still enjoy the performance. Last year my mother and I listened to classical music and some poetry from the very heart of Moscow with a grand view of Red Square. This year I was able to see a movie in the park sitting/laying in a beanbag chair. I was also able to go to a new stage that opened this year and listen to the poetry of one of the poets of the 20th century - also with a nice view of Red Square. Recently, I was able to listen to a now very popular monastery choir that was performing in Moscow. As I have wanted to listen to this choir for quite some time and looking forward to their concert, I found out that I was not the only one: all 1,500 seats were taken in the amphitheater with people also sitting on the stairs and on the grass. Despite the crowded seating conditions, everybody enjoyed the concert.

I am not very much into sports but there are also all kinds of sports activities also in the parks from yoga to dancing classes, from running marathons to bicycle marathons. You can choose anything you like. The events are not limited to only adults as there are all kinds of events for kids: masterclasses to learn new skills, sports, dancing to name a few. There are also many tours available around Moscow. The ‘Summer in Moscow’ festival ends with a large celebration of Moscow’s birthday, with this year celebrating 879 years. The birthday celebration typically is the first Sunday of September with many concerts around Moscow.

There are all kinds of activities; it is a matter of your time and desire to go remembering that Moscow summers are warm only for 2-3 months. Sadly, the summer in Moscow is over with night temperatures currently going down to 45º F.

As you can tell Moscow offers a lot of activities in summer for everybody, you can occupy yourself every day. And with our