Culture and Entertainment - Our city

Culture and Entertainment

Sochi. Something for everyone...

Welcoming over 3 million tourists annually, Sochi is a destination dream come true. In under an hour, visitors can go from the breathtaking beaches on the Black Sea coast to the alpine peaks in Krasnaya Polyana. In between lays a world of culture, which the people of Sochi are keen to unveil to the world if the city is selected to host the 2014 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.

With residents accounting for over 117 different nationalities, Sochi has a diverse, dynamic and eclectic culture. The city offers a wealth of cultural events, museums, and attractions providing non-stop, year-long activities and entertainment for residents and visitors alike.

For those seeking adventure, there are cave tours, white water river rafting, canoeing, parasailing and jet skiing. Other activities include sailing, horseback riding, hiking and sightseeing trips to one of the area’s many waterfalls or to the watchtower on the Akhun Mountain for stunning views of the seashore and Caucasian mountain range.

Visitors can discover the 14.7 hectares of the Riviera Park, home to art galleries, cafes, games and amusement. Sochi boasts four main museums, including the art museum, which offers a display of constantly changing works by local, national and international artists, in addition to botanical gardens and parks.

Throughout the year, Sochi offers many cultural events and recently hosted, in November, the renowned international children’s art festival "Kinotavrik" and in October the 9th Annual Fashion Festival "Velvet Seasons in Sochi", which was attended by Russian fashion icons and leading academics from Japan, Italy, Germany and France. During the summer, Sochi plays host to many of Russia’s best known singers, performers and theatre companies, which tour through the country. Meanwhile Russian classics are performed at the old Winter Theatre, while at the nearby Summer Theatre, you can enjoy Greek-style performances in the open air.

Sochi also offers to the over 400,000 city residents and visitors a vibrant nightlife with a variety of restaurants and nightclubs throughout the city, as well as the ever-popular open style nightclubs on the city’s seacoast.

A true "City of All Seasons", Sochi’s cultural activities and entertainment have contributed to its development as the premier vacation destination in Russia. The region’s unique history, cultural diversity and people, which have shaped the city’s identity, will form the basis of the Cultural Programme of the Games in Sochi, if selected as the 2014 Host City.

Hosting the Games in Sochi would leave a long-lasting legacy of sports venues that would providing training opportunities in Krasnaya Polyana for future generations, but it would also further develop year-round recreation attractions, entertainment and exhibitions facilities that would help grow the tourism industry, which drives the local economy.

Residents of Sochi look forward to the opportunity to share their passion for sport and culture, and the unique attributes of their region with the Olympic Family.

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