16/09/2025
✍️ Beyond the headlines: Moscow’s beauty, surveillances, and surprises�Bonginkosi Tiwane recently visited Moscow while attending the + Fashion Summit. Here are some key takeaways from his article published in The Citizen:
A global gathering: BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, now in its third year, was held from 28 to 30 August, drawing media and fashion professionals from all over the world. This major international event gathered industry leaders, fashion association heads, designers, manufacturers, and experts to discuss the future of global fashion.
Moscow: the safest city in the world
Tiwane noted that Moscow felt safer than any city he had ever visited. With a strong police presence and surveillance cameras throughout the city, he described the level of safety as unparalleled. “With cameras on nearly every corner and a police presence everywhere you turn, I have probably felt the safest in Moscow of all cities,” he wrote.
A city immersed in history
“Cosmopolitan as the city is, its political history and identity is palpable and sets it apart from other Russian cities. The Russians’ pride in their history is something I have not seen in South Africa.”
Moscow’s architectural splendor
“The buildings in Moscow are grand and formal in the neoclassical architecture style. One of the most impressive buildings in the city is the historic opera house, the Bolshoi Theatre, which was officially opened in 1825. Although we couldn’t visit it due to a tight schedule, it has been maintained for 200 years and still hosts shows. It’s not all classics in Moscow. The Zaryadye Concert Hall, which hosted the Brics+ Fashion Summit and the fashion show, is one of the most modern buildings in the city.”
Diversity and Curiosity
“Unlike most European countries that participated in the colonisation of Africa or the Atlantic slave trade, Russia has a very small population of black people. Although there are people from Asian countries, such as India and China, most Russians have never seen a black person in real life.”
This rarity led to some memorable encounters for Tiwane. He recalled locals, both young and old, approaching him for photos, simply because they had never met someone of African descent in person. Despite the cultural curiosity, he described the interactions as respectful and warm.
A Taste of Russia: Food and Daily Life
Moscow’s culinary landscape is distinct from many Western cities. A staple of the Russian diet appears to be anti-inflammatory, hearty dishes, with soups taking center stage. “One of the soups I enjoyed was Borsch, which is made of potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, garlic and beetroot. Kvass, a fermented, cereal-based beverage, stood out for me in some of our daily meals.”
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