For the two weeks between Western Christmas and the Russian celebration, Moscow's Manezh Square will be lit up by a Christmas market from the French city of Strasbourg, a City Hall trade official announced Tuesday.
Alexei Nemeryuk, head of the city government's trade and services department, told Interfax that the market would "enable Muscovites become familiar with European Christmas traditions and crafts" as well as benefiting economic cooperation between Russia and France.
The festive market, which will run from Dec. 24 until Jan. 7, is to take place thanks to cooperation between the embassies of the two countries, the news agency said, adding that Strasbourg's mayor is expected to attend the opening.
The Strasbourg Christmas market, or "Christkindelmärik" in the local Alsatian language, is one of the oldest in France, dating back to 1570.
Moscow's traditional New Year's market will also be going ahead as usual.
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