All you need to know about Russian culture in Dubai

From partying, sports, opera, and even their own radio station

#Party like a Russian

The weekend before last, November 3, was a somewhat frustrating day for some of the Russian-speakers in Dubai as they were spoilt for choice. When usually there aren't enough live musical performances in town, last Thursday saw two good overlapping acts. Zemfira and Leningrad, both rock bands, performed on the same night. And while some expats had clear preferences and went, say, only to the Zemfira show, there were those who didn't like having to make the choice when there's an uneventful calendar for the rest of the year. "It was stupid of the organisers to not consider the choice a fan would have to face; many may have wanted to watch both shows," an expat who went for only the Zemfira show told us. He added that, luckily, he's not interested in the music of Leningrad. Another expat, a 30-something woman, said she was really excited about Ivan Dore coming to town, and she likes how the tickets have been priced. "Last year," she said, "they brought these super famous singers that my mom would listen to - like Philip Kirkorov - who played at Burj Al Arab; the tickets were for Dh700, and most of us wouldn't pay that kind of money". So she's happy that less 'mom-type' performers are being brought to town for a younger crowd. "My mother would always listen to Stas Mikhailov, who is so popular but so annoying; he caters to broken-hearted divorcées in Russia."

Beach Soccer, yaay!

That's how excited the Russian National Team was in November 2015 with their win at the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2015 at the Dubai International Marine Club. Russians love sport and the outdoors. Staying in Dubai, it's no surprise that a lot of Russians choose to live close to the beach. Fitness is a passion for people of the former USSR. Don't be surprised the next time you sign up for an Ashtanga Yoga class and your teacher is Alexy or Natasha.

Dancing Queen

In the right season, you'll often find Russian performers in Dubai at events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival. These ladies (in the photo) performed at Festival City in Dubai in 2015. But the aspect of Dubai that Russians are most kicked about is the opera. Expats said that they've been brought up on opera, theatre and ballet since they were children. So it's heartening that the city is taking measures to present more cultural opportunities to its Russian-speaking residents.

Airwaves are alive

Most Russians in UAE get all their news and local information off a local radio station - 103.2FM. Also Russia Today on TV. Expat Evgenia Arushanova says, "It's great to listen to radio if you want to stay up to date with Russian gossip". Radio's the grapevine. It's how you know that there are three concerts taking place in Dubai featuring well-known Russian singers. They have a good programming mix. Some people actually enjoy listening to legal advice at 8 am while driving to work.

Social Interaction

St Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church at Sharjah's Al Yarmouk area is for the Russian orthodox community. But it's not just for serious Russian parents and grandparents. Young people visit too (when dragged). "I meet a lot of people my age," a 30-something-year-old said, "It's a social thing." The church is packed on Easter and Christmas. Parking is hard to find. Russians also go to the church in Jebel Ali at times. But they try to go to the Russian church as it feels closer to home.

- nivriti@khaleejtimes.com

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