Splash of colour in Novosibirsk, Western SIberia. Picture: Vera Salnitskaya

The hosts were surprised by the level of interest in the event held at a disused airport, which is based on the ancient Hindu festival Holi - a festival of colours and of love. Participants daubed each other with paint and coloured water in a mass frolic of colour.

They also hosed each other and jumped into the vats with coloured water.

There were performances of acrobats and jugglers and all visitors could make a mehendi, a temporary henna tattoo.

Organiser Anatoly Koptev said: 'The idea of the festival was met with such a great response that we ended up welcoming a lot more people than we expected; at some point we ran out of paint and had to bring an extra truckload in.

'I think that the festival went really well and showed once again just how bright and unique are the people of Siberia. Our country needs more events where people can feel freedom, joy and liberation without the use of alcohol and drugs; we are very keen to keep organising them'.

Bright and beautiful - people of Novosibirsk, Western SIberia, celebrate the festival of colours. Picture: Vera Salnitskaya

Novosibirsk photographer Vera Salnitskaya said: 'People were so happy, they loved pouring coloured water and throwing colours into each other, it was childish delight for them. It was great fun to watch'.

There seemed to be many happy participants for this first Festival of Colours in Siberia.

Yulia Kobzarenko wrote: 'It was so cool, I will never forget this day!'

Viktoria Yashina: 'Guys, it was awesome! Thank you very much, I am looking forward for the next festival'.