Once a month – always on Sundays – the Eastern European Cultural Fair takes place in Vila Zelina, a region known as the “eastern European city of São Paulo”. The fair takes place from February to December, from 10am to 5pm, in Rua Aracati Mirim, next to the Vila Prudente Ecological Park.
Next Sunday, October 10, is the anniversary edition of the neighborhood, which celebrated its 97th birthday on October 27. So if you don’t know it yet, this is your chance to visit.
Special program
The event features different cultural attractions and workshops every month. This time, to celebrate Vila Zelina’s 97th anniversary, the program is even more special.
- 10am: GCM Band – National Anthem
- 10:30 a.m.: Capoeira Association & Dente de Ouro Folkloric Group
- 11:30 a.m.: Volga Folklore Group – Russia
- 12h: Jadran Folklore Group – Croatia
- 13h: Zorbás Folklore Group – Greece
- 14:00: Rambynas Folk Group – Lithuania
- 14h30: Musician Danilo Zajac – Ukraine
- 15:30: Vila Viking Brasil
- 16h: Pántlika Folk Dance Group – Hungary
- 16h30: Balalaika Dance Company
The Eastern European Cultural Fair
This is where immigrants, lovers of the region’s culture, as well as the curious and sightseers gather.
It’s the perfect place to see the handicrafts and enjoy the cuisine of countries such as Ukraine, Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Lithuania.
For those who love a gastronomic tour, the stalls offer typical food from the various Slavic peoples. Among the options are:
- Bulgarian “bureka” (puffed and stuffed doughnuts),
- “Russian varenikes (small stuffed pancakes),
- Lithuanian “kugelis” (made with potato dough)
- and many other traditional dishes.
When it comes to drinking, you can also try “krupnikas”, a typical Lithuanian honey liqueur, and “kvass”, the region’s fermented craft drink.
The region’s traditional handicrafts include Russian “matrioshkas”, Ukrainian porcelain art, Bulgarian machetry and much more.
In other words, there’s something for everyone!
📍 Rua Aracati Mirim – Vila Prudente