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In today’s political climate, coming together as a people, not bound by race, color or gender, is more important than ever. One organization has been striving to bridge the gap between cultures for 20 years, and it’s right here in our own back yard.
Over the past 20 years, the Russian American Foundation (RAF) has aimed to connect people of all backgrounds through a variety of shared interests and values. Rina Kirshner, vice president of RAF, said the organization was founded with the goal of working toward overcoming stereotypes used against Russian immigrants in the United States, and the foundation takes pride in seeing generations of young Russians and Americans being brought together through its various programs. Through exchange programs specializing in arts and athletics, and festivals highlighting food and entertainment right here in the heart of New York City, today the foundation’s mission reaches beyond the US borders, but it still aims to educate and, above all, unite.
Youth education through worldly experience
One of RAF’s most popular and successful programs to date are the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (BBA) Summer Programs. Founded over 245 years ago, the Academy is one of the oldest and most established schools for classical ballet training in the world, and has served as an incubator for some of the world’s best dancers, teachers and choreographers. Building on their successful partnership, the RAF and BBA teamed up with the NSLI for Youth, Scholarship to Study Language Abroad to create a study abroad program for American high school students who excel in both dance and academics. Russian is considered one of the seven critical languages that the US believes are being under-taught, and the program is sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program, now in its seventh year, uses the mutual bond of dance to introduce American youth to Russian language and culture.
“The thing that makes me feel really good, is that we are capable of bringing the best of the best of Russian culture–from the ballet to music to sports and arts–and it’s growing in spite of whatever happens in politics between the two countries.” -Marina Kovalyov, RAF President
Students who are fortunate enough to be accepted into the highly recognized and competitive NSLI-Y spend six weeks in Moscow — on a full scholarship — where they study ballet at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and learn the Russian language. Participants come back to the US as transformed individuals who know what it means to be an ambassador in today’s world. As for students who may have not had any interest in global affairs, or even just traveling to a foreign country, Kirshner notes that many of them become transformed by the program’s end, becoming life-long students of Russian language and culture. In turn, Russian citizens they come in contact with gain valuable insight into American culture and make long-term friendships and connections. Program alumni were often able to skip a year of language study in the US and have gone on to attend some of the country’s top colleges and universities with a global mindset and a perfect plié. The program — much like everything that the RAF strives to do — helps our youth understand that an open mind can lead to incredible opportunities.
Local exposure makes way for global appreciation
The RAF doesn’t just aim to expose American youth to Russian culture, but people of all ages as well. New York City is home to the largest Russian-speaking population in the United States, so it’s only natural that that’s where the Russian American Foundation was born and still operates today. In order to continue to share Russian culture with America, the foundation holds a number of cultural events and initiatives that coincide with the Annual Russian Heritage Month®. With its nearly 20 diverse events over the course of the month of June, New Yorkers can expect activities, events and festivals that range from dance performances to authentic Russian cuisine tastings, athletics and everything in between.
The Sports & Wellness Festival at MatchPoint NYC this year promises to become a crowd favorite. It will feature free fitness assessments, cardio, tennis, zumba, performances and raffles among a plethora of other activities to get New Yorkers moving. Beyond sports, there are plenty of other events spanning different categories. Partnering with TASS, Russia’s oldest news agency, RAF will present to New Yorkers and local art connoisseurs a unique photography exhibition featuring the stars of Russian and world ballet of the past 100 years. The RAF will be the first to bring a solo exhibition from contemporary artist Alexander Solotzew to New York. His exhibition, “Life in Colors,” showcases his most recent works influenced by his journeys across the world. The foundation will also bring together leading Russian-speaking émigré writers and poets of different epochs to discuss the phenomenon of cultural migration and modern literature under the roof of the New York Public Library. All of the events aim to immerse attendees in Russian culture to familiarize New Yorkers with the values and traditions of Russia.
Said to be the best and most authentic Russian restaurant in the city, Mari Vanna holds tastings to the tune of traditional balalaika music in an authentic setting every Wednesday in June. The spot is a standout favorite of RAF president Marina Kovalyov: “This is the only place that has the real atmosphere of a Russian home from the ‘50s and ‘60s … I’m telling you — from interior to food, it is the most amazing place in the city.” Ninety-five percent of Mari Vanna’s daily patrons are Americans, which speaks volumes about their welcoming atmosphere and cuisine.
By encouraging open-minded thinking, shared interests and exposure to each other’s cultures, the RAF prides itself on helping people develop the skills needed to look for similarities and common ground, something Kovalyov firmly believes is necessary for peace: “The culture and sports and foods and great people still continue on together. That’s what makes us feel great — that we are part of the process of continuing bringing communities together in the large city of New York. Cultures together and countries together.”
