Hussars and knights to greet women in Moscow parks Friday

Moscow parks will offer city dwellers a variety of entertainment dedicated to International Women’s Day on March 8, Moscow’s city park administration said on its website on Thursday. According to Mosgorpark, hussars will greet ladies at the main entrance to Izmailovo Park. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness a swordfight, learn ball dances and watch a concert, which will start with a cannon salvo. Lianozovo Park promises to stage a knight tournament, in which men on horses will compete for their loved ones’ hearts by trying to spear a dropped handkerchief and knock opponents out of the saddle. A king in a carriage will offer a lift to any part of the park, while a prince on a white horse will offer female visitors red flowers. Gorky Park will erect a four-meter cube with a floral installation inside. The illusion of infinite spring will be created by mirrors and a variety of flowers: mimosas, lilies of the valley, lavender and hyacinths. A “Ladies Only” zone will open in Sokolniki Park with activities including makeup, braid weaving and cooking workshops. Meanwhile, Krasnaya Presnya Park will be decorated with installations representing the feminine ideals of France, Britain, Spain, the U.S., China and Russia. Hermitage Garden will be transformed into a miniature Paris, complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre-inspired street painters and a Moulin Rouge-style cabaret show, the website said.