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Singing and dancing in the rain: Russians revel in ancient holiday: Part of Moscow has been set on fire for one day. A festival dedicated to a Russian folk holiday, Ivan Kupala Day, has been organised in the capital. It celebrates the elements of fire and water. This year the weather’s contributed to the event.

Hooligan art on display in Moscow: 'Gop art' is loosely translated from Russian as meaning 'art by hooligans'. Until now it's been looked down on as a lesser form of expression or even dismissed as not being art at all. But now, a major exhibition is showcasing their work.

Contemporary art exhibitions open in Moscow: Contemporary work from Mexico, Finland, China and Russia has gone on display at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Collectively titled 'Who Goes There?' the new exhibitions show a creative approach to the problems of the modern world.

Tigers’ influence on Russian rockapops: Russian musician Ilya Lagutenko, the leader of the Mumiy Troll band, plays neither rock, nor pop. He calls it rockapops. He doesn’t care much about big earnings, releasing a new double album – a format seen as unprofitable by many musicians. But he does care about rare Amur tigers and is the patron of a fund dedicated to their preservation.

Revolutionary flames back in Moscow: Stalin would have been pleased – his favourite ballet, “The Flames of Paris”, which was not staged for almost 50 years, has made its return to the Bolshoi theatre, which closes the season with the long-awaited premier.

French designers bring flare to Russian homes: French designers know how to make an interior look elegant and one of a kind. Sculptors, cabinet-makers, ceramic masters and many other craftsmen from France have travelled to the Russian capital to show off their talents.

Splash of hip-hop in Moscow: A huge music festival boasting the best of hip-hop from around the world has been held in Moscow. Known as ‘Splash’, organisers say it is Europe’s biggest hip-hop and rap event.

Curtain falls on St Pete’s music festival: The St. Petersburg Palaces music festival has come to an end with a charity ball in Tsarskoe Selo – the historic summer residence of the former tsars. The highlight of the event was a gala concert featuring the festival's brightest stars, including one of the world's leading classical sopranos, Renee Fleming.

Russians horse around with wealth: Polo, the sport of the elite, is becoming popular in Russia. The Moscow region has hosted the annual Mercury Polo Cup 2008, featuring players from Russia, Argentina, the U.S. and Peru. Russian businessmen and top managers were the key figures in the game.

Giraffe masterminds great escape: Dutch police had to round up a number of animals from a travelling circus after a giraffe released them from their cage. It’s thought 15 camels, two zebras, several llamas and a potbellied swine were set free on the streets of Amsterdam.

Will Russian audiences 'like it hot'?: ‘Some Like It Hot’ shot in 1959 has been listed as the greatest American comedy film of all time. No wonder a 1972 Broadway musical based on it also enjoyed great success. A Russian stage director is now trying to mount his version of the acclaimed show and hopes for no lesser success with audiences.

Iranian movie grabs first prize in Moscow: The winners of this year’s Moscow Film Festival have been announced at a ceremony at the Pushkin Cinema. A domestic drama from Iran scooped the top prize,The Golden George, for the best film.

Perestroika art on display: An exhibition of 80s art from the Glasnost/Perestroika period of Russian history has opened in Moscow. The highlights can be seen at the Volker Diehl Gallery until the end of August.

Car-painting festival hits top gear: So you can’t afford a Ferrari, or even a BMW, but you want a car that’ll turn heads when you drive by. Well, Moscow has just the thing for you - a festival devoted to making your car stand out.

Golden voice enchants Moscow: She's considered to have one of the world’s most amazing voices and she's given a solo recital in Moscow for the first time. American opera diva Renee Fleming recently charmed the audience at the International House of Music.

French actress wears many masks: The acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert is a woman of many faces. She's as convincing playing 19th-century heroines as portraying complex women from the modern era. And a photo exhibition in Moscow’s Manezh proves the point.

Images of war and peace: prize-winning photos on display in Moscow: The winners of World Press Photo, the influential photo contest, have been put on display at Moscow's Vinzavod Art Centre. And some of the award-winning photographers have come to Moscow to present their works in person.

Don't worry, be happy!: Bobby McFerrin raised the spirits of his Moscow audience at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall making fans between the ages of six to sixty really happy.

Punk’s not dead! Sex Pistols play first-ever Russian gig: One of the most outrageous and controversial rock bands of all times, the Sex Pistols, have played their first-ever gig in Russia. The group hit the road this year to mark the 30th anniversary of their landmark first album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols’, and on Wednesday evening played in Moscow.

Chechnya’s symbol and pride: Fourteen-year-old dancer Mansur Musaev is referred to as the "symbol of Chechnya". Declared a 'citizen of the world' by the United Nations, he remains truly devoted to his homeland, its history and traditions.

Chekhov’s classic play reflects modern Russia: A film based on Anton Chekhov's renowned play ‘The Cherry Orchard’ is one of two Russian productions vying for the Golden Saint George award at the Moscow International Film Festival.

Balloons give bird's eye view of St.Pete: The 8th Annual Balloon Festival and Airship Championship has brought thousands of participants and spectators from Italy, France, Canada and many other countries to Russia’s northern capital to compete or simply to have fun.

Instant art - it only takes a minute!: The work of a modern artist who uses people as well as clay for his sculptures is being showcased in Moscow. The exhibition at the Moscow Central House of Artists is a retrospective of the works of Austrian Erwin Wurm.

Russian veteran film-makers honoured: The President of the Moscow International Film Festival, Oscar-winning director Nikita Mikhalkov, has invited friends and colleagues to dinner in honour of veteran film-makers in Russia. His fund, which he established a year ago, has been successfully helping those in need overcome financial and social difficulties.

Statue breaks taboo on enemas: While enemas undoubtedly have a place in medical practice, their role in art is open to debate. But that hasn’t stopped a health spa in the resort of Zheleznovodsk in Russia's Stavropol region from erecting a giant monument to enemas.

Baby you can drive my car!: Classic vintage cars and stylish women are among the more alluring things in life. Put them together and you have an almost irresistable combination. At least that's the theory. And it proved to be the case this week at Moscow's third girls-only classic car rally – an event that didn’t fail to spin wheels.

No water and no sex in Absurdistan: A top German film director has told RT about the making of his acclaimed movie, ‘Absurdistan’. Veit Helmer’s allegorical comedy tells the story of a tiny village inhabited by just 14 families between Asia and Europe.

‘It’s a sin!’ Unholy row over play about Georgia’s saint: An unholy row has broken out in Georgia over a play about the life and martyrdom of the country’s patron saint. ‘The Life of St George’ has left the Orthodox Church fuming with what it says is sacrilege - and no subject for the stage.

Wanted! Blockbuster hit for Russian director’s Hollywood debut: An acclaimed Russian director’s latest film is making its red carpet debut this week – and its tipped be one the summer’s biggest Hollywood blockbusters.

Japanese film legend’s Russian masterclass: A legendary Japanese film maker has been sharing the secret of his success with young Russians who dream of emulating him.

Stevie Wonder makes Austrian Alps jazzy: Austrian audiences had a great chance to become acquainted with extraordinary Russian singers as well as sing along with Stevie Wonder. Musicians from all over the world gathered at the stadium in the Austrian Alps to take part in the first JazzaNova festival.

Sex and the City - Russian style: The Sex and the City series has been a striking success all over the world - and Russia is no exception. For many women it has become an indispensable guide to the fraught relations between the sexes, as well as a trend-setter in the world of fashion. As the full-length film premiered in Moscow on Thursday, the debate over the effect of its influence on Russian women has begun.

Zookeeper & the wolf: man teaches mammals to sing: A barmy Chinese zoo keeper is training wolves to sing - and is also planning to teach them how to bust a move on the dance floor.

Russia’s 16-year-old fashion sensation storms Hollywood: 16-year-old Russian fashion designer, Kira Plastinina, is taking on the U.S. with her sporty-style glamour. With more than 40 boutiques around the world, the daughter of a Russian multi-millionaire is now making her mark in the home of glamour – Hollywood.

Moscow music festival hitting the high notes: Moscow is tuning up for a major summer music festival now in its 6th year – and organizers reckon it will be the best yet.

Art or terror? Hoax nuke explosion lands artists in trouble: Three artists who showed a hoax nuclear explosion on a Czech TV channel have been fined more then $US 3,000.

Stars shine at Moscow Film Festival: Hollywood stars Will Smith and Charlize Theron are among hundreds of A-list celebrities who appeared at the opening of Moscow’s 30th International Film Festival. The blockbuster 'Hancock' premiered on the opening night.

Radio Ga Ga: the bizarre beauty contest hitting the airwaves: Some of Russia's most attractive women have been showing off their beauty - through the radio!

Noah’s Ark film fest marks Chechnya’s renaissance: Chechnya’s first international film festival has been held in Grozny. Productions from more than 20 countries competed for the Noah’s Ark award. The name of the festival symbolises the cultural and spiritual uplift in the Russian North Caucasian republic.

Giant clown ‘emerges’ from sand – and wins!: A Russian artist has taken first place at a sand sculpture festival in Latvia. Tanya Kuznetsova's winning entry depicted a clown sitting on a wheel emerging from the sand.