Irish dancing school in Russia inspired by Michael Flatley reflects people's 'warm attitude to Ireland'

Eirindance performers outside an Irish pub in Moscow.

An Irish dancing school in Russia is keeping it reel despite the country’s deteriorating relationship with Europe and a shift away from Western culture since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Eirindance owes its existence to Michael Flatley, whose performance as Lord of the Dance at the Academy Awards in 1997 captivated Mariana Petrishina and inspired her to pursue the discipline, setting up the school five years later.