Russian Cultural Center: About us

Brief history

The idea of the Russian Cultural Center was born in May 2006 due to realization that Russians, as an ethnic group, and Russian folk culture and art were sorely under- and misrepresented in the Twin Cities area. Elena Kallevig, the General Chairperson of the Russian Group at the Festival of Nations, and Elena Shurkina, the Russian Exhibit Chairperson, started actively recruiting volunteers and on June 14th, 2006, the organizational meeting of the RCC voted on the names for the Center – “Russian Soul” and the ensemble “Belozer’e” and elected the Board of Directors.

The original group of the RCC members was united by their love for Russian art: the General Director Elena Kallevig, the Art Director Olga Ivkin, the Financial Director Elena Pregl, the Artistic Director Elena Shurkina, the PR & Development Director Irina Yaritz, and the Director of Educational Programs Maria Zavialova worked very hard and in the fall of 2006 the RCC “Russian Soul” became a legal non-profit organization under the fiscal sponsorship of “Springboard for the Arts,” a non-profit Artist service organization .

The RCC is constantly evolving, developing new reach-out programs, coming up with new ideas. We are proud to announce that we are the only representatives of Russia, accepted by the Global Arts & Culture program; we are the first Russian organization to have a Russian Folk Art exhibition at the Hennepin Gallery(June 2008); the first to offer "Russian Fairytale Hour" at Pierre Bottineau Library; the first Russian participants at the Diversity Parade at the Metrodome; the first to offer workshops on Russian folk arts and crafts - the list can go on.

The folk ensemble "Belozer'e" is gaining popularity, performing at such major events as the Festival of Nations, HGC Intercontinental Music series, Urban Excursions at Landmark Center, opening of the "Russia's Grizzly Coast" exhibit in Minnesota Zoo. "Belozerochki", as the ensemble members call themselves, are incredibly talented: they sew and embroider the costumes, choreograph dances, sing and dance, though none of them had any professional training. All programs are unique - based on Russian folk tradition but composed with consideration of modern audiences. Here are we on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxiQEZGPtpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNxCK0oN48s[link]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJIi1Qkwf_o

Administration

General Director Elena Kallevig
Artistic Director Elena Shurkina
Financial Director Richard Kielas

Russian Cultural Center “Russian Soul” is a non-profit organization, currently operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the “Springboard for Arts” organization (Certificate of Exempt Status #ES 35711). All money donated or paid for the services are designated for the preservation, research, and promotion of Russian Cultural and Artistic heritage in Minnesota, and for supporting charities approved by our Board of Directors.