The greening of Moscow is under way as preparations continue for a 2 1/2 hour St Patrick's Day parade in the city. Organised by Aer Rianta International, which runs the duty-free shops at the city's Sheremetyevo Airport, the parade will have more than 20 floats and seven brass bands. These will be joined by folk and theatrical groups, as well as circus performers and children's theatre groups.
Among those reviewing the parade will be the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Dukes, the Irish ambassador to Russia, Mr Ronan Murphy, and the Aer Rianta chairman, Mr Noel O'Hanlon. The evening will end with an Emerald Ball and proceeds will go to Moscow orphanage Number 24.