The Russian Carnival (Maslenitsa), a friendly and sympathetic event by The Canadian Foundation for Russian Culture which opened “The Russian Season in Montreal” took place on February 14, 2010. The vice-president of the Tatiana Krouglikova-Lvova Foundation, Presidents Larissa Shabalinskaya and Lyudmila Fimina did an excellent job in organizing this traditional celebration. The Russian Gramota school team, their students and parents also contributed to the event.
Once again the Foundation confirmed its noble mission – to promote the great cultural heritage among Quebecers of all origins, to establish friendly relations with them and to develop the Russian language. The Carnival was a great success! The excellent organization, the efficient work of the team, their kindness and hospitality helped to create a warm and festive atmosphere. The celebration in both languages has become, for many Canadian visitors, the first encounter with rich Russian cultural traditions.
The greeting of the Foundation by Tatiana and Larissa opened the festivities. From that moment, good humor and joy did not leave the audience. The presenters Olga Ruhlyadeva and Natalia Ilyina presented verses to welcome the Maslenitsa accompanied by a set “Rhythms of the planet” conducted by Tatiana Rozova, and by Alexandre Styopin on the accordion. A famous singer Stanislav Kholmogorov in his luxury suit looked like a respectable trader in the (early) 20th century. He sang folk and romantic songs – “Moscow with golden domes”, “I met you”, “Chrysanthemums in the garden have long since withered”, “The Long Road” and others. The singer Lidia Tolstova also entertained the audience with songs “The bells”, “The dark cherry shawl”, “The night is clear”, imprints of a soft and mysterious feminine soul and of captivating energy. The young dancers from the “Rhythms of the Planet” ensemble were very touching, sincere and fun, and the acrobats led by the Belyaykov family demonstrated a very complex acrobatic composition.
Visitors were also able to discover ancient Russian popular entertainment such as shopping in bags, the competition for the best costumes, children’s round dancing. The winners received the Foundation’s prizes.
Carnival is impossible without the delicious Russian food and drinks so well known! The abundance of tasty pancakes (blinis) was accompanied by a variety of traditional appetizers – caviar, smoked salmon, herring, with, of course, sour cream, honey and jam. “Moskovskaia” vodka and Italian wine accompanied the food. Then, the famous samovar, with tea, followed by homemade cakes, sweets and cookies (баранки – bagels).
The Carnival took place in one of the most spectacular places in Montreal: a hall in Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
Among the guests of honor were Consul General of the Russian Federation in Montreal AVIsakov, accompanied by his wife, member of the executive committee of the Montreal City Hall, CDN district councilor Helen Fotopoulos, president of the Russian-speaking Canadian Congress Adil Kurbanov.
