Past News & Events

New Course
RUS 91-03 Strange Russian Writers
Russia is a land of contradictions and Russian culture is an integral agglomeration of East and West with a religious heritage that embraced the primordial worship of Mother Earth, Byzantine Christianity, and the Jewish experience. Russians cherish their own truth about the world that baffles subtle European mores and the inconsistencies of American rationalism. The rebellious spirit of Russia resists authority and buries itself in hidden disobedience. Russians go to extremes. They are both regimented and anarchic, yet it is this contrast that brings out the great ingenuity of the Russian soul.

The aim of this new course is to bring out a philosophical understanding of the Russian people and the nations that populate Russia's soil, and to show how and why Russia in many ways is strange to westerners. Thus a broad selection of readings follows an eccentric path and underscores the topic of strangeness. Most of the texts are short--there are no long novels! The aim is to bring out a range of problems which hover around the Russian literary canon and its cultural heritage. Selections relate to Russian life and its diaspora in the West. Introduction to the Russian experience will include a historical background and a swath of smaller texts which will flesh out our discussions. Among the authors are: Avaakum, Odoevsky, Gogol, Dostoevsky, L. Tolstoy, Leskov (Lady Macbeth), Pilnyak (Mother Earth), Babel (Odessa Tales), A. Tolstoy (Aelita, orThe Decline to Mars), Nabokov (The Eye, Pnin), Platonov (Foundation Pit), Olesha (Envy), Kharms, Bulgakov (Fatal Eggs), T. Tolstaya, Pelevin (Yellow Arrow). There will be three papers up to 6 pages each. No prerequisites. All readings are in English.

Poetry Reading: Ilya Kamisky
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 6:30 pm, Barnum 104
The Tufts Department of English presents a poetry reading by Ilya Kamisky, poet and author of the book Dancing in Odessa.
More information >

New Course
Russian 92B: Russian for Heritage Speakers
You feel you can walk around St. Petersburg, find your way around and
have a conversation that goes beyond the basics? You took some Russian language classes But you feel you could use some extra challenge? You want to improve your kitchen Russian that you grew up with? Then Russian 92B: Russian for Heritage Speakers is right for you!

Come and join us while we discuss topics that include the revival of the cultural industry and its role in the creation of a resurgent Russia and a new 21st century, post-soviet, Russian national identity and society. Course materials include literature, film, music, TV, pop culture, pulp fiction, and the internet. Meets during the Second Summer Session T, R 6:00-9:30pm. E-mail Tanya.Gassel-Vozlinskaya@tufts.edu for more details.

Russian Circle Members:

Boston Ballet's production of The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 7:30pm (tentative)
Deadline for requesting/paying for tickets will be Thursday, November 15

Film screening "Trebuetsja njanja"
Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 7:00pm
Olin 011
Details about the film will be provided soon

Russian Tea & Deadline for submitting sweatshirt designs
Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 5:00pm
Russian House
All those who want their designs to be in the running must come to this Sunday's Russian Tea. At that time, we will take a vote on the designs and the winning design will eventually appear on our Russian Circle sweatshirts! So if you want to vote, please be sure to be at this Sunday's Russian Tea. There have been several requests to move the Tea to an earlier time. This week, we will stick to the regular time, but please let me know your thoughts about moving it down to 4:30pm in the future.

"What is the Meaning of The Center of Cosmic Energy?"
Thursday, November 1, 2007, 6:00-7:30pm
Remis Sculpture Court, Aidekman
Tufts Faculty Roundtable
Speaker: Professor Sloane
Exhibit at Tufts by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, entitled "The Center of Cosmic Energy"
more information on the exhibit >

Open to all Tufts Students:

Russia - US Relations
Luncheon Lecture
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Coolidge Room at Ballou Hall Tufts University
Speaker: Dr. Mark Pomar, President of IREX
Learn more >

Trafficking: Humans and Sex for Sale in a Globalizing World
Wednesday, November 7th, 2007,  5:00-8:00 pm
Lower Level Conference Room, Mayer Campus Center
Film Screening and Discussion: Lilya 4-ever

Lilya 4-ever is an internationally acclaimed film (2002) about a young girl living in the former Soviet Union who gets caught in a web of lies and exploitation. The movie explores topics of trafficking in humans and sexual slavery.We will be discussing these issues in a global context and also be hearing from local community activists who work around them.

This event is open to all Tufts students. Dinner will be served after the film and during the discussion.  Please contact Rodela.Khan@tufts.edu for more information.

Sponsored by: Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service
Co-Sponsored by: Tufts Women's Center, Campus Violence Prevention
Project and Matahari: Eye of the Day.

On Campus:

Study Abroad Information Session: Russia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia
Hear from students who have participated in Summer and Semester length programs (including internships) in St. Petersburg, Vladimir and other locations. Information regarding program deadlines, scholarships, and credits, as well as majors and minors offered by the Russian Program, will be available.

Mini Film Festival - New Films from Kazakhstan and Russia
Each film will be introduced by Moscow based film critic, Elena Stishova

The Hunter
Directed by Serik Aprymov, one of Kazakhstan's most prominent film directors. A young boy is befriended by the hunter he has stolen from. NOTE: This film will be shown in Kazakh with English subtitles.

The 9th Company
Directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk. Raw recruits face battle during the Soviet Afghan War. This film is currently showing to wide acclaim in Russian, and is dedicated to the director's father, renowned Russian actor, Sergei Bondarchuk.NOTE: This film will be shown in Russian with English subtitles.

Off Campus:

Three Sisters (Anton Chekhov) at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge), Nov 26, 2005 - Jan 1, 2006 (visit www.amrep.org/sisters)

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