Kennan Institute Continues Series on Russian Cultural Influences on America

WASHINGTON—On May 5, the Woodrow Wilson Center's Kennan Institute will hold the second in a four-part series of programs on Russian culture, titled, "Culture/Kultura: Russian Influences on American Performing Arts." The program on May 5 will focus on Russian dance and its influence on America and is cosponsored by The George Balanchine Foundation. The remaining programs, to be held later in the year, will focus on theater (in October) and film (in December). The first program on music was held in February.

"When we think of Russian influences on American dance," said Kennan Institute Director Blair A. Ruble, "we think almost exclusively in terms of classical ballet—from individuals such as choreographer George Balanchine and dancers Alicia Makarova, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov; to theaters such as the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. And, while American ballet has been enormously shaped by Russian influences, those influences extend to Hollywood and Broadway as well."

The May 5 seminar will feature expert commentary, video, and photographic presentations documenting the historic and pervasive Russian influences on this aspect of American culture. Panelists will include Suzanne Carbonneau, professor of performance and interdisciplinary studies in the arts at George Mason University; Suzanne Farrell, of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet Company at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and Camille Hardy, principal researcher of the Popular Balanchine Project in New York and senior critic for Dance Magazine.

The program will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Joseph and Claire Flom Auditorium (6th Floor) of the Woodrow Wilson Center, located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, followed by a reception. Reservations are required to attend this event. To R.S.V.P. and request directions or more information on the program series, please contact the Kennan Institute at 202-691-4100.

The Kennan Institute was founded as a division of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in December 1974 with a mission to improve American expertise and knowledge about Russia and the other successor states of the former Soviet Union.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living, national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open, and informed dialogue. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds and engaged in the study of national and world affairs.