American University celebrated the third anniversary of the Initiative for Russian Culture at a gala held at the National Building Museum last week. It was an evening of Jazz Diplomacy, bringing together students, esteemed guests, and accomplished musicians to promote understanding through music and culture. The event was a collaborative effort between American University's Initiative for Russian Culture, the Open World Leadership Center, and The Brubeck Institute.
Cultural understanding is the key for growth in democratic relations between any countries. The Initiative for Russian Culture believes in this philosophy and it reflects in their efforts to engage students in learning about Russian culture and history as well as taking up the language. Igor Butman was the jazz maestro for the evening joined by the U.S.-Russia Rising Stars Jazz Band to perform for guests, which included Open World alumni and the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet.
The Open World Leadership Center fosters U.S.-Russia exchange programs to encourage students to study abroad in Russia as well as other post-Soviet nations.
The Brubeck Institute combines a passion for music education and international relations through their music programs that allow young artists to experience performing in many different cities and venues. Recently the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet performed at a forum entitled "Jazz: A Language for Peace" as well as at the United Nations. Brubeck students joined Igor Butman and the Open World All Star group for an evening of great music, food, and culture.
Initiative for Russian Culture Chair Susan Carmel Lehrman spoke about her goal for the initiative: "Through events like this one which emphasize importance of common cultural bonds especially to younger generations I believe we are helping find common ground necessary to be able to work together and to interact with mutual respect well into the future."
Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak, spoke about the collaboration between the Embassy of Russia and the Initiative for Russian Culture. The initiative hosts events for students at the Embassy such as movie screenings and discussions that help further student interest and understanding in Russian culture. The films range in all genres to capture the interest of many students. Both Kislyak and Lehrman spoke about dispelling stereotypes about Russia through education, especially in light of recent events.
The Initiative has seen many accomplishments since its launch three years ago. Applications for Russian culture, history, and language studies at American University have quadrupled and at least doubled at consortium universities such as Georgetown, George Washington, the University Maryland, and George Mason among others. There has been a steady increase in attendance at events hosted by the Initiative with many students being placed on waitlists because of full capacity.
Executive Director Simon Rowe from the Brubeck Institute summarized the evening of jazz diplomacy, "Even without words we can come together and begin to understand one another". Guests bonded over their mutual enjoyment of music into the evening and set the tone for the spread of cultural understanding so that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Russia can continue to develop through student interest and appreciation of culture. Although quite different the two have many similarities which will continue to be recognized by future leaders through the efforts of the Initiative for Russian Culture.
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Cultural Understanding: The Key to Diplomacy
October 15, 2013
American University celebrated the third anniversary of the Initiative for Russian Culture at a gala held at the National Building Museum last week. It was an evening of Jazz Diplomacy, bringing together students, esteemed guests, and accomplished musicians to promote understanding through music and culture. The event was a collaborative effort between American University's Initiative for Russian Culture, the Open World Leadership Center, and The Brubeck Institute.
Cultural understanding is the key for growth in democratic relations between any countries. The Initiative for Russian Culture believes in this philosophy and it reflects in their efforts to engage students in learning about Russian culture and history as well as taking up the language. Igor Butman was the jazz maestro for the evening joined by the U.S.-Russia Rising Stars Jazz Band to perform for guests, which included Open World alumni and the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet.
The Open World Leadership Center fosters U.S.-Russia exchange programs to encourage students to study abroad in Russia as well as other post-Soviet nations.
The Brubeck Institute combines a passion for music education and international relations through their music programs that allow young artists to experience performing in many different cities and venues. Recently the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet performed at a forum entitled "Jazz: A Language for Peace" as well as at the United Nations. Brubeck students joined Igor Butman and the Open World All Star group for an evening of great music, food, and culture.
Initiative for Russian Culture Chair Susan Carmel Lehrman spoke about her goal for the initiative: "Through events like this one which emphasize importance of common cultural bonds especially to younger generations I believe we are helping find common ground necessary to be able to work together and to interact with mutual respect well into the future."
Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak, spoke about the collaboration between the Embassy of Russia and the Initiative for Russian Culture. The initiative hosts events for students at the Embassy such as movie screenings and discussions that help further student interest and understanding in Russian culture. The films range in all genres to capture the interest of many students. Both Kislyak and Lehrman spoke about dispelling stereotypes about Russia through education, especially in light of recent events.
The Initiative has seen many accomplishments since its launch three years ago. Applications for Russian culture, history, and language studies at American University have quadrupled and at least doubled at consortium universities such as Georgetown, George Washington, the University Maryland, and George Mason among others. There has been a steady increase in attendance at events hosted by the Initiative with many students being placed on waitlists because of full capacity.
Executive Director Simon Rowe from the Brubeck Institute summarized the evening of jazz diplomacy, "Even without words we can come together and begin to understand one another". Guests bonded over their mutual enjoyment of music into the evening and set the tone for the spread of cultural understanding so that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Russia can continue to develop through student interest and appreciation of culture. Although quite different the two have many similarities which will continue to be recognized by future leaders through the efforts of the Initiative for Russian Culture.
