On February 8, 2026, the Moscow House of Nationalities opened its doors to everyone wishing to immerse themselves in the vibrant and multifaceted world of African culture. The second "Window to Africa" festival became a landmark event in the social life of the capital, gathering over 150 participants — artists, artisans, and chefs from 30 African countries, as well as hundreds of residents and guests of the city.

The event was organized by the State Budgetary Institution of the City of Moscow "Moscow House of Nationalities" and the African Business Club, with the support of African diasporas from more than 30 countries of the continent. The partner for the festival's exhibition program was the International Association GATINGO, which presented the exposition "Soul of Africa" as part of the international traveling art project "The World of Africa: Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday."

High Level of Diplomacy and Public Recognition

The grand opening ceremony was marked by the presence of high-profile guests. A welcoming speech was delivered by Sergey Sergeevich Anufrienko, Director of the Moscow House of Nationalities. He emphasized the importance of the festival as a platform expanding the boundaries of cultural interaction between the peoples of Russia and the countries of the African continent.

Louis Gouend — Chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee, President of the African Business Club, and Chairman of the Commission for Work with African Diasporas of the Russian-African Club at Lomonosov Moscow State University — noted the significance of such initiatives. According to him, these events reveal the true face of modern Africa to the Russian community, promote the unity of peoples at the level of people's diplomacy, and create a solid foundation for long-term cooperation in various fields.

The honored guests of the festival included Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary:

• General Joseph Nkurunziza (Republic of Burundi);

• Mr. Stéphane Sylvain Samba (Republic of Senegal);

• Mr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki (Republic of Kenya).

Representatives of the diplomatic corps from Gambia, Cameroon, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ghana, and the Republic of Guinea also took part in the event.

A welcoming speech was delivered by Angelika Egorovna Glazkova, Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. She noted that the "Window to Africa" festival has become a full-fledged platform for people's diplomacy, contributing to the development of trusting relations between Russia and Africa.

Expert Community and Organizers

The festival was visited by Sergey Chesnokov — President of the ANO "MIR," Academician of the PANI, and expert at the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Mr. Chesnokov highly appreciated the level of organization of the event and the contribution of diasporas to preserving the cultural code of Africa within Russia.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony were:

• Zenebe Kinfu Tafesse — President of the Union of African Diasporas, Senior Research Fellow at INION RAN, Head of the Association of the Ethiopian Community in the CIS;

• Alexander Fedorovich Berdnikov — Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Chairman of the Commission for Public Security and People's Diplomacy of the Council for Nationalities Affairs under the Moscow Government;

• Mikhail Mikhailovich Yakushev — Advisor at the Historical and Documentary Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Art Uniting Countries

The art exposition "Soul of Africa," part of the project "The World of Africa: Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday," presented guests with unique works in traditional styles of the continent's peoples. The exhibition also included works by Russian Africanist artists, teachers and students of the Stieglitz Academy and MGSU-MASI. The curator of the exhibition, Tatyana Tudvaseva, conducted a guided tour for those interested, detailing each exhibit.

Rhythms, Dances, and Traditions

The festival was memorable not only for its visual aesthetics but also for its rich interactive program. Guests witnessed a vibrant gala concert and a national costume fashion show, where they could see firsthand the diversity and color of the African style.

Master classes were organized for everyone, allowing them to connect with the continent's traditions:

• The Art of Wearing a Headscarf: learning traditional ways of tying an African headdress;

• African Hair Braiding: creating braids using kanekalon;

• Musical Rhythms: basics of playing the traditional djembe drum;

• Choreography: master classes in traditional dances, the sensual "Kizomba," and the traditional dance game "Nzango."

Fans of intellectual leisure enjoyed learning the African board strategy games "Songo" and "Bumuntu." One of the most popular spots was a vibrant photo zone where guests could try on national clothes and take memorable pictures.

A Gastronomic Journey Through Africa

The festival's culinary zone turned into a real gastronomic adventure. Guests sampled aromatic banana donuts "puff-puff," the refreshing drink bissap, and exotic baobab juice. Tastings drew special attention: connoisseurs could enjoy freshly brewed coffee from beans from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, as well as signature tea blends from Cameroon, Congo, and Kenya.

Results

The "Window to Africa" festival confirmed its status as a vital cultural bridge between Russia and the countries of the African continent. The organizers express sincere gratitude to the State Budgetary Institution "Moscow House of Nationalities" for their hospitality and support, and also thank all participants, artists, craftsmen, and guests who made this day unforgettable.

The "Window to Africa – 2026" festival became a true "hot day" in the middle of the Moscow winter. It warmed the hearts of all present with its hospitality and gave a charge of solar warmth, enough to last until spring.