Moscow Fairs

Moscow Fairs (Russian: «Московские ярмарки») is a state budgetary institution of the city of Moscow that coordinates and operates a chain of small municipal markets across the Russian capital. It is subordinate to the Moscow Department of Trade and Services, the city body responsible for retail and consumer market policy. The organization was established in its current form in early 2016, following a Moscow government directive that transferred the functions of organizing fair events from a cultural institution to a trade-focused entity. Its markets are intended to provide residents with access to fresh food and other goods, often supplied by farmers and producers from Russian regions and abroad. The institution manages two main formats of fairs: interregional fairs and weekend fairs. These are typically small, temporary or seasonal markets set up in various districts of Moscow, including a representative office in Zelenograd. The fairs are part of the city's efforts to support accessible retail and to maintain food supply chains, particularly during periods of disruption such as the COVID-19 pandemic. According to city officials, from January to September of a recent year, 31 fairs attracted 1.73 million visitors, a figure higher than the previous year despite restrictions. Moscow Fairs has also faced criticism, notably for the prevalence of resellers (perekupshchiki) at its markets, which can undermine the goal of connecting consumers directly with producers. Nevertheless, the institution remains an active part of Moscow's municipal retail infrastructure, operating under the brand "Moscow Fairs" and maintaining an online presence at fair.mos.ru.

Moscow Fairs traces its origins to a Moscow government directive dated 23 December 2015 (No. 758-RP), which changed the departmental subordination of the State Budgetary Cultural Institution of the City of Moscow "Moscow City Center for the Implementation of Festival and Competition Programs." The purpose was to ensure the implementation of the functions of the executive authority in organizing and conducting fair events in Moscow. This change took effect on 20 January 2016, formalized by Moscow government resolution No. 6-PP of 20 January 2016. From that point, the institution became responsible for coordinating and supporting fair events across the city. Under its new mandate, Moscow Fairs operates as a state budgetary institution under the Moscow Department of Trade and Services. It manages a network of small municipal markets in various districts of Moscow, including a representative office in Zelenograd. The fairs are organized in two main formats: interregional fairs and weekend fairs. These markets are designed to offer residents fresh food and other goods, often sourced from farmers and producers from Russian regions and foreign countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fairs continued to operate, with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin noting that even during the most difficult days, food stores and city fairs did not stop working, and new year-round fairs were opened. According to Alexei Nemeryuk, head of the Moscow Department of Trade and Services, from January to September of a recent year, 31 fairs were visited by 1.73 million Muscovites, a figure higher than the previous year despite unprecedented restrictions. The institution has also been subject to criticism, particularly regarding the dominance of resellers at its markets, which can reduce the direct benefit to producers and consumers. Despite this, Moscow Fairs remains an active part of the city's retail landscape, with an online presence at fair.mos.ru.

• Moscow government directive No. 758-RP changes departmental subordination of the festival center to trade authority.

• Moscow government resolution No. 6-PP formalizes the establishment of Moscow Fairs as a state budgetary institution.

• From January to September, 31 fairs attract 1.73 million visitors, higher than the previous year despite pandemic restrictions.

Municipal market chain providing accessible retail space for farmers and small vendors in Moscow.

• Interregional fairs

  Fairs featuring goods from different regions of Russia and abroad.

• Weekend fairs

  Fairs held on weekends, offering fresh food and consumer goods.

• Criticism over resellers

Read more

• Transfer of fair organization functionsOther

1. 1Moscow Fairs on Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Московские ярмарки - Wikipedia (Russian)ru.wikipedia.org