Sweden's King Carl Gustaf XVI, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria arrived in Moscow for a state visit Oct. 8. The royal guests came at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin and will stay in Russia until Oct. 13.

To properly greet the royal visitors, Swedish restaurant Scandinavia threw a cocktail party Oct. 8, opening a festival of Swedish cuisine that will be taking place in the restaurant until Oct. 12.

The invitees – Russian businessmen and representatives of Swedish companies working in Russia – were introduced to the visiting team of Swedish chefs, led by Krister Lindstrom and three celebrity chefs, Roland Persson, Anders Dahlbom and Rikard Nilsson, all winners of the Chef of the Year contest, in which each chef demonstrated his own original approach to Swedish cuisine.

Per Saland, first secretary of Sweden's Embassy in Russia, said the state visit of the royal family would also include stops in St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk.

"Without a doubt, this [visit] highlights the significance attached by Sweden to its relationship with its southeastern neighbor," he said. "Among the events held within the framework of the ‘Week of Sweden,' I would like to specially note the festival of Swedish cuisine in the Scandinavia restaurant, presented by the very best Swedish chefs."

The "Week of Sweden," taking place simultaneously in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk, includes an exhibition of Swedish IKEA's designs in the Central House of Artists, an exhibition of jewelry of the Bolin company, also from Sweden, in the Kremlin.