Eighth Annual Russian American Festival Closes 6/30

The Eighth Annual Russian Heritage Festival began its month long celebration of Russian culture in New York on Sunday June 6 from 11am to 5pm with a free outdoor festival featuring Russian foods, arts, crafts, music and dance performances at Seaside/Asser Levy Park (corner of Ocean Parkway and Seabreeze Ave.) in Brooklyn. One of the highlights of the day will be a live performance by Tatiana Ovsienko, one of Russia's most popular pop stars. A popular, annual event for people of all ages, the Russian Heritage festival will feature performances by numerous youth groups in the New York metropolitan area, performing traditional music, song and dance and wearing traditional costumes showing the diverse heritage of countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Armenia.

The Russian American Book Fair, which will be held on June 19 from 11am to 5pm at the Brooklyn Public Library (1 Grand Army Plaza), will gather together top Russian authors, publishers, and book stores. Authors will offer readings and book signings  and showcase their books.  This event will also feature Russian folk group Moscow Folks and Siberian ethnic folk music group Somana Kukun. Admission will be free.  Moscow Folks and Somana Kukun will also appear at the free Russian Festival in Eisenhower Park, Long Island on June 21 from 7pm to 9pm.

The Russian Heritage Festival will also include the following exhibitions:

JUNE 1-20, 2010 (8am-8pm)
"VICTORY TO REMEMBER: 65th ANNIVERSARY" PHOTO EXHIBIT dedicated to the 65th Anniversary of Victory in World War II.
On view at Citigroup Center, 153 East 53rd St., Manhattan
Admission FREE.

June 1-20, 2010 (10AM-5PM)
"ZURAB TSERETELI: TWO CULTURES THROUGH ART" EXHIBIT
Zurab Tsereteli is recognized worldwide as a Russian artist of the highest caliber. As an artist, Tsereteli is remarkable in the breadth of his mediums, which include painting and drawing, sculpture, monumental design, enamel, mosaic and staiNed Glass. 
15 Gramercy Park South, New York (212) 475-3424
Admission FREE

JUNE 20, 2010 (12 - 4PM)
JEWISH-BUKHARIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL IN QUEENS
The Health Fair in Queens is a free public event held annually, which draws together local Queens community group performers, numerous organizations servicing the community, and other communities of New York to celebrate this one-time local cultural event. Community health care organizations and medical centers are working on site to educate visitors about important health care issues and offer free health care services.
Bukharian Jewish Community Center, 106-16 70 Ave, Forest Hills, Queens
Admission FREE

June 20-27, 2010 (10AM-5PM)
"RUSSIAN QUILTS, DOLLS, etc." EXHIBIT                                                            
Russian artists will present a craft collection of Quilts and Dolls. Patchwork represents an ancient form of folk art.
On view at National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York (212) 475-3424
Admission FREE.

June 20-27, 2010 (10AM-5PM)
"SOMANA KUKUN" - SIBERIAN SHAMANISM IN CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBIT
A unique exhibition of arts and crafts of the Siberian culture, the program will present a live concert of the ethnic Siberian folk group who will demonstrate the beauty of the Kula culture. The group uses a distinctive singing approach, which incorporates throat singing and shamanistic rituals in combination with jazz and rock techniques.
National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York (212) 475-3424
Admission FREE

JUNE 20-30 2010 (8AM - 8PM)
"SIBERIA - TOMSK - LANDSCAPE" PHOTO EXHIBIT
This exhibit will feature photographs of the Siberian landscape from the Tomsk region. Having celebrated its 400th Anniversary in 2004, Tomsk is one of the oldest cities in Russia, lying within a beautiful Siberian landscape.
On view at the Citigroup Center, 153 East 53rd Street
Admission FREE

The Russian Heritage Festival is presented each year by the Russian American Foundation. The only festival of its kind in the U.S., it celebrates the rich diversity of Russian culture and history in the New York City metropolitan area.

In a citation presented to the Russian Heritage Festival, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg commended the Festival for "showcasing the vitality and success of the flourishing Russian community." Russian is now the third most-spoken foreign language--after Spanish and Chinese--in New York City.

MaRina Kovalyov, co-founder and president of the Russian American Foundation, says, "The festival helps create a dialogue between the Russian-speaking community and all New Yorkers. We are a proud and powerful part of the American population, and we want people to know more about our culture."

Ms. Kovalyov's daughter, Rina Kirshner, who is co-founder and vice-president of the Russian American Foundation, adds, "The festival has been part of the fabric of the Russian-American
community long enough now that we have many children who have grown up with the Festival. They were babies when we started but are now old enough to perform. That speaks to the importance of the Festival as much as anything!"

For more information about the Russian Heritage Festival, visit www.russianamericanfoundation.org.