London Mayor Boris Johnson and Russian businessman Mikhail Prokhorov met in City Hall in the British capital on Friday for the launch a Russian cultural festival.
The festival is held annually by London's vast Russian community in celebration of Maslenitsa, the Russian Orthodox equivalent of Shrovetide. This year's fair will be held on central Trafalgar Square on Sunday.
Although blini (pancakes) are a prominent part of the celebrations, the event also features traditional Russian music, folk dancing and theatrical performances.
Johnson praised the Russian community in London, saying it has in many respects changed the city for the better.
Prokhorov's Onexim Group, a private investment fund, is one of the main sponsors of the festival.
LONDON, March 4 (RIA Novosti)
