A Russian chef prepares grilled meat dishes. [Photo/IC]

The Russian food and culture festival opened in Tianjin on Aug 15, bringing together nearly 60 Russian companies to showcase a wide range of products along Heping Road.

The festival features Russian specialties including agricultural products, cosmetics, daily consumer goods, jewelry, and food. Popular treats such as Russian fruit pastila attracted long queues, with some products selling out within hours. Exhibitors from Russia's Kaliningrad region also expressed interest in expanding sales of amber and other specialty products in China and finding local partners in Tianjin.

The event goes beyond shopping, offering visitors a taste of Russian culture. Russian chefs prepare traditional dishes such as blini for visitors to sample, while ballet performances, opera and traditional instrumental music are staged throughout the festival. Olympic figure skating champion Anna Shcherbakova, an ambassador for the "Made in Russia" brand, also joined the event for a signing session.

The festival reflects growing economic and cultural ties between Tianjin and Russia. In 2025, Tianjin's trade with Russia reached 16.65 billion yuan ($2.47 billion), with exports exceeding 10 billion yuan for the first time and imports rising more than 50% year-on-year.

Hosted by the Russian Export Center, the festival will run through Aug 19.

A visitor shops for Russian jewelry in Tianjin. [Photo/IC]