Russian eyes smiling in Moscow for Paddy’s Day

More than 1,000 people paraded on Moscow's fashionable Novy Arbat thoroughfare today as the city's Irish community turned out…

More than 1,000 people paraded on Moscow's fashionable Novy Arbat thoroughfare today as the city's Irish community turned out in strength to mark St Patrick's Day.

Several hundreds more lined the pavements to look on in curiosity as the paraders, many Irish but including the employees of Irish companies with Moscow offices, walked towards the Kremlin in broad sunshine, playing music, carrying balloons and wearing costumes.

Moscow's St Patrick's Day parade has become an annual event since it was first held in 1992, the first year after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Several Moscow bars, cafe-clubs and cultural centres have laid on parties and Irish music events for the occasion.

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AFP