Academic programs to highlight annual Russian Festival

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A series of humanities lectures and readings will provide the focus for the 19th annual Kalamazoo Russian Festival, slated for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Fetzer Center on the campus of Western Michigan University.

This year, the festival is centered around the theme of "Russian Winter Holidays." The event immerses attendees in all things Russian and offers a full slate of programming for children as well as adults. Opening ceremonies featuring local and WMU dignitaries are set to start at 9:30 a.m.

Folk dancers, singers and musicians will be featured throughout the day, along with Russian cuisine, vendors, children's activities and a silent auction. In addition, there will be presentations on Russian poetry, politics, history, literature, symbolism, art, cultural celebrations and study abroad. Presentations will be held concurrently in the Fetzer Center's Putney Auditorium and an upstairs classroom.

Presentations in Putney Auditorium

• At 11 a.m., Scott M. Friesner, faculty specialist-lecturer in WMU's Lee Honors College, will explore Dostoevsky's renowned novel, "Notes From the Underground."

• At noon, Dr. James M. Butterfield, WMU professor of political science and a two-time Fulbright scholar, will focus attentions on "Russia After the Crimea."

• At 1 p.m., in keeping with the festival's "Winter Holidays in Russia" theme, Purdue University doctoral candidate Kate Koppy will present "The Snow Maiden, Father Frost and Other Favorite Winter Characters."

• At 2 p.m., Dr. Christine A. Rydel, former chair of Grand Valley State University's Department of Russian, will explore "Fairytale About the Rain," one of the most famous works by the beloved Russian poet, Bella Akhmadulina.

•At 3 p.m., Dr. Edward A. Cole, who recently retired after teaching history at GVSU for more than 40 years, will transition from literature to history by discussing "Karamzin's Battle of Kazan: Fact or Fiction?"

• Following Cole's lecture, Judith A. Rypma, WMU poet and master faculty specialist-lecturer in English, will offer a slide presentation to introduce the study abroad program in Russia that will be offered by WMU's English department this summer. Participating students will study literature in translation at Leningrad State University in Pushkin as well as in St. Petersburg.

Concurrent presentations upstairs

• At 11:30 a.m., Dr. Inna Molitoris, an Eastern Michigan University alumna born in Kyrgyzstan in a Kyrgyz-Ukrainian family, will explore "Symbolism in the Former Soviet Union." After her talk and a visual presentation, attendees will be invited to paint their own posters that incorporate Soviet symbols.

• At 1 p.m., Nina Vasilyevna Paulova, a former theatrical speech consultant and professor at the Khabarovsk Institute of Arts and Culture, will perform a number of "Poems About Winter" by well-known Russian writers Although she will read in Russian, translations will be provided.

• At 2 p.m., Lorraine Fedorchak-Kraker will conduct a workshop on the famous pysanki eggs, giving the audience a chance not only to learn about the symbolism of the elaborately decorated eggs, but to create their own designs.

Additional information

The Kalamazoo Russian Festival is staged annually by the Kalamazoo Russian Culture Association and co-sponsored by WMU's departments of English and Theatre. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for those with a student ID, $3 for children age 12 and under, and $25 for a family pass.

Rypma notes that the Kalamazoo Russian Culture Association is a nonprofit organization that, in addition to hosting the Russian festival and supporting other events and causes throughout the year, maintains community ties with Pushkin, Russia—a partnership city with Kalamazoo.

"In addition to a roster of dance, song and musical instruments, our scholarly events continue to attract students, educators and the general public," says Rypma, who has been involved in the festival for most of its 19-year history. "As the political relationship between the U.S. and Russia sadly continues to deteriorate, it is more important than ever that we support events that foster better understanding between our peoples and our cultures."

For more information, contact Judith Rypma at rypmaj@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2628.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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