IWC ST. PETERSBURG BULLETIN

Transcription

1 IWC St. Petersburg THE IWC ST. PETERSBURG BULLETIN May, 2015 Week 20 Featuring! IWC Cocktail Party NEW! IWC Tours French Lunch! NEW! Holidays

2 SUMMARY CHARITY 3 TOURS 4-5 HOLIDAYS 6 WEEKLY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE 7 8 UPCOMING EVENTS 9 CLASSIFIEDS 10 2

3 Charity Please join us for the first annual Lilies Cocktail Party! To celebrate the kick-off of this annual event we would like to extend this invitation to both IWC members, and non-iwc members so grab your tickets, grab some friends, and come party with us! You can purchase your tickets 3 convenient ways: 1. Tickets will be on sale at the May General meeting 2. If you are unable to attend the April or May General Meetings us at iwcstpete@gmail.com for alternate arrangements OR 3. Purchase your tickets through the Anglo American School, by ing Jackie at jackeinclan@yahoo.com.mx. 3

4 Tours MIKHAILOVSKIY THEATER Backstage Tour 21 May 2015 at 17:00 The theatre was established in 1833 by decree of Tsar Nicholas I. Before the 1917 Revolution, the Mikhailovsky did not have its own resident company. Performances were given either by a French company, hired by the Russian Imperial Theatres or at the end of the century by the Mariinsky Theatre and Alexandrinsky Theatre companies. Most of the great French actors of the period performed at the theatre, as well as singers. Both classical and contemporary authors and composers had their works produced to great acclaim in French. Plays by Moliere, Hugo, Sardou and Dumas were praised by the intelligentsia and the Russian aristocracy, such as Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky. When the Bolsheviks took power, the French company was forced to leave Russia. In 1917 the Mikhailovsky Theatre was closed. On March 6, 1918 the theatre was reopened as an opera theatre. Shortly afterwards the Mikhailovsky started changing its names. In , it was called the Ex-Mikhailovsky Theatre. In 1920 it was renamed to the State Academic Comic Opera Theatre, in 1921 the theatre changed its name to the Maly Operny (Maly Opera Theatre). In 1926 it got the name of the Leningrad State Academic Maly Opera Theatre, MALEGOT for short. New management and artists followed. In the Maly Operny established itself as one of the leading experimental stages in Russian new musical theatre. The first ballet premiere, choreographed by Lopukhov, took place on June 6, From 1989 to 2007 the theatre bore the name of Modest Mussorgsky, subsequently returning to its original name the Mikhailovsky Theatre.We are given rare opportunity to venture backstage, where we can visit various areas, such as the side of the stage, dressing rooms, makeup rooms and the costume wardrobe. Duration : 1,5 hours approx. Cost : rub for the group Maximum : 15 persons Address : 1, Square of Arts (Ploshad Iskusstv) If you are interested in attending, please us at iwcstpete@gmail.com, latest by Monday, 18th May

5 Konstantinovsky Palace Tour NEW DATE! Thursday, 11 June 2015 Departure time 09:30 The Constantine Palace (Konstantin or Konstantinovsky Palace) in Strelna near St. Petersburg is a masterpiece of Russian architecture of the 18th century. In 1716, during Peter the Great s trip abroad, the already famous architect Jean-Baptiste Leblond was introduced to the Russian tsar. In the autumn of the same year the architect arrived in St. Petersburg and started working on the Strelna palace project. Peter wanted the new palace to emphasize Russia's new status as a maritime power. In the same period Leblond managed construction of the palace in Peterhof, which was being built "with great hurry." At the beginning of 1719 Leblond died, and his initial draft of the Strelna palace project was now passed on to two Italian architects, first to Citriani, and then to Niccolo Michetti. Under the supervision of the latter, the foundation of the Strelna palace was laid in June of Construction of the building was carried out briskly, but there was not enough money, since large sums were spent on the construction of the Peterhof residence, where a trial run of the Grand Cascade fountains was done in August of Peter the Great clearly lost interest in the idea of creating the same "paradise" in Strelna as in Peterhof, and in early 1722 the unfinished palace was presented as a gift to Anna Petrovna, the future Empress and daughter of Peter. The construction work first slowed down after the death of Peter the Great in 1725 and later came to a complete halt following the marriage of Anna Petrovna. The palace stood unfinished for 20 years. Only in 1747 did the work resume. In 1797 Emperor Paul I presented the Strelna Palace to his son, grand duke Constantine. This period marks the revival of the grand residence under the direction of the architect Andrey Voronikhin. The renovation was completed in On the night of December 29, 1803 a huge fire destroyed the entire decoration of the palace. Only a small number of paintings and furniture were saved. On January 1, 1804 the Emperor Alexander I (elder brother of Constantine) signed the decree for the restoration of the palace. However, the second and current name of the Strelna Palace - Constantine Palace - was not on behalf of the Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich. He died in 1831, and the palace came into the possession of another Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich, son of Emperor Nicholas I. After completion of a new restoration work the palace became a summer residence of Grand Duke Constantien Nikolaevich and it was at that time that the palace acquired the name of Constantine. After 1917 the Palace gradually falls into disrepair. During the WWII, in , the Germans made it into a lookout station. In these years, the palace suffered greatly from shelling and fires it was reduced to a stone frame. In 1990, Konstantin palace, as an architectural masterpiece has been included in the UNESCO list of the Global Heritage Monuments at risk. The restoration works commenced only in In 18 months the entire architectural ensemble has been restored as a gift for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Konstantin Palace today is a pearl of the National Congress Palace the residence of the President of the Russian Federation, a museum and a modern congress Duration : 4,5 hours approx. (transportation and tour) Cost : rub/person (the price includes Tour in English, Entrance Ticket and Maximum : 15 persons If you are interested in attending the Tour, please us at iwcstpete@gmail.com, latest by Monday, 1st June On Wednesday 3rd June, IWC has to prepay for the Tour. Therefore, we cannot accept any cancellations after Tuesday 2nd June, otherwise you will still be responsible 2. Constantin Palace is a governmental building. Your passport number and full name is required upon registration 5

6 Holidays June 12 Russia Day, is a non-working public holiday established in Initially, this new holiday was to contribute to the development of Russian statehood in the principles of constitutional federalism, equality and partnership. Naturally, among other public holidays Day Russia occupies a special place of honor. We have a new generation of young people who do not know the last state Soviet Union. And it had since childhood to grow with the patriots of this country, and to be proud of it. It has turned into a true celebration of freedom, independence, peace and harmony. A symbol of unity of the people, and the responsibility for the present and the future of the Motherland. June 21 Kupala Day is the day of summer solstice celebrated in Russia and Ukraine. This holiday was named after Ivan Kupala, the old Russian name for John the Baptist. Kupala Day is the day of summer solstice celebrated in Russia and Ukraine. Many rites of this holiday are connected with water, fertility and autopurification. Girls may float wreaths of flowers (often lit with candles) on rivers, and would attempt to gain foresight into their relationship fortunes from the flow patterns of the flowers on the river. Men may attempt to capture the wreaths, in the hope of capturing the interest of the woman who floated the wreath. Children engage in water fights and perform pranks, mostly involving pouring water over someone. On Kupala day, young people jump over the flames of bonfires in a ritual test of bravery and faith. The failure of a couple in love to complete the jump while holding hands is a sign of their destined separation. 6

7 IWC WEEKLY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE Monday Tuesday Wednesday Morning Thursday Friday Saturday Shape Up Core & Back 10:30 11:45 Anne Zaglmann ail.com Tel +7 (921) Coffee/Catchup Group (meets at starbucks in stockman) 10:30 12:00 Vicky Lindmark Traditional Yoga Class 10:00 11:30 Maria Moberg or Russian Conversation 10:00 12:00 Valentina Ubushaeva or +7 (921) Craft Group 10:00 Pauline Bailey co.uk Adult Ballet Group 10:00 11:30 Mayumyi om Shape Up - Arms & Legs 10:30 11:45 Anne Zaglmann a.zaglmann@gm ail.com +7 (921) Photography Group 10:30 (every other week) Alice +7 (931) alice.debaar@g mail.com Jina Park +7 (911) schneemonat@g mail.com The IWC Choir THE SINGING CATHERINAS 11:00 13:00 Catherine Morris +7(963) Katyamorris@yahoo.c om Baby & Toddler Group 11:00 1:00 Katy Noyle Katynoyle@gmail. com +7 (911) Children s Ballet ages 5+ 11:00 12:00 Cindy Klotz mail.cindyklotz@g oogl .com or (7) (981) French Speaking Lunch once a month 12:30 Isabelle Denneulin isabelle.w.d@gmail.com or +7(929) Let s Go Eat Lunch Maria Christo Maria @ya.r u Alessio legolas.1301@yah oo.com or +7 (967) Children s Dance and Ballet 3 & 4 year olds 12:00 1:00 Cindy Klotz mail.cindyklotz@g oogl .com or (7) (981) Cindy will be out of town till mid January Evening 7

8 Singing Catherinas Choir We meet on Wednesday mornings from am to 1.30 pm and sing a variety of songs, from jazz, to folk, pop and even classical. We also sing in all languages! We are not at all professional, so if you enjoy singing, even if you think you do not sing very well, come and join us. If you have questions, please contact Catherine Morris at or katyamorris@yahoo.com. French Lunch! The French Lunch will be Tuesday, May 19 at 12:30pm. The restaurant is Park at nab.griboedova 2B. Please contact Isabelle Waxin-Denneulin to RSVP. isabelle.w.d@gmail.com Russie portable Russie Fixe +7 (812)

9 IWC St. Petersburg THROUGH MAY 26 UPCOMING EVENTS PETROGRAD SKY In honor of the 100-year anniversary of the start of World War I, the museum-apartment of poet A.A. Blok presents an exhibition on war and literature. The exhibition concentrates on the role of literature as witness to the experiences of life at war. The exhibition will display collections by Blok, Gorodetsky, Kuzmin, Remizov, Sologub, and Shchepkina-Kupernik, as well as collectively published works and periodicals from the war years. The displays will be accompanied by a multi-media program that focuses in part on the personal fates of these writer/witnesses, many of whom lived through the worst of the war, serving as soldiers, medics and correspondents in the thick of battle. Where: Memorial flat of Alexander Blok, ul. Dekabristov 57 NOW THROUGH 10 TH MAY 2015 HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY S HERMITAGE 2014 marked the 250th anniversary of the Hermitage s creation. In honor of the museum s long and esteemed life, viewers are invited to enter the world of the Hermitage as Her Majesty Catherine II experienced it. The exhibition is based on Prussian explorer, ethnographer and naturalist Johann Gottlieb Georgi s detailed descriptions of the Imperial Hermitage recorded in , only 30 years after the museum s official birthday. The exhibition features several sections that display and describe the museum s original structure. Also on display are characteristic works from Catherine s time, including the Empress library and painting gallery and a collection of rare objects from the East. Where: The State Hermitage The Nicholas Hall of the Winter Palace 10:30 18:00 Closed Monday. Nearest Metro: Admiralteiskaya Tickets: 400 Rubles THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13 TH 2015 THE BALL ROARS, THE BALL GLEAMS With over 300 displays from the State Museum of St. Petersburg History and the Russian National Library, this exhibition submerges visitors in the infamous center of the Imperial capital s social life - the ball. At the heart of the exhibit are the splendor and luxury of ball attire and accessories. Photographs, posters and advertisements are also on display and demonstrate the incredible variety of Petersburg balls over time, from the Imperial through the early Soviet eras. The exhibit also features interactive events, including lectures on the history of ball attire and master classes, where you can learn to dance the waltz or communicate in the secret language of fans and decorative flowers. Where: Peter and Paul Fortress Nearest Metro: Gorkovskaya Tickets: Rub When: 10:00 18:00. Closed Wed.

10 Classifieds Thann Spa Special Check out the New Thann special for April posted in the attachments sections of the bulletin! International Preschool of St Petersburg This summer The International Preschool of St Petersburg, Chaykovskogo 55, is running a new summer program with English-speaking care for children aged 2½ to 5. The day runs from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Session 1: 6 July to 17 July; cost 14,000 rubles Session 2: 20 July to 31 July; cost 14,000 rubles Session 3: 3 August to 14 August; cost 14,000 rubles Session 4: 17 August to 21 August; cost 7,000 rubles Children can attend any or all of the sessions. If you are interested in this program, please aa.preschool@yahoo.co.uk or call Marjorie at +7 (931) Maze Café-Bar Club members with IWC ID card will receive a 10% discount during the year of Live music Friday and Saturday nights! We have a fabulous business lunch Menu Free children s master class every Sunday 14:00 to 17:00! We are very glad to help you organize your private dinner parties, birthday parties or wedding parties. For reservation please call , Hope to see you soon in The Maze. NEVA BOAT TRIP JUNE 26, :00 22:00 Valentina Ubushaeva invites you and your husbands or friends to her Boat Trip, 26.June.2015 from You can enjoy the canals and Neva, our wonderful city, all drinks and meal, also an alive music on Friday evening. It costs 3500 rub. per person, RSVP at u-vn@mail.ru, or call *This is not an IWC sponsored event* 10