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1863-2013Friends in Time of War150th Anniversaryof theRussian Navy’s Goodwill Visits toNew York and San FranciscoPresident Abraham Lincoln Rear Admiral Lesovsky Tsar Alexander IIAmerican-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation2013 Annual Gala

Under the gracious patronage ofHis Excellency The Ambassador of the Russian Federationand Mrs. Sergey I. KislyakPresident Bill ClintonHonorary ChairmanSusan Carmel LehrmanEvent ChairTHE HONORABLE JAMES W. SYMINGTONChairman of the Boardwelcome you to theAmerican-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation2013 Annual GalaFriends in Time of War150th Anniversaryof theRussian Navy’s Goodwill Visits to New York and San FranciscoProudly recognizing HonoreesIgor Butman & Wynton Marsalisfor their distinguished contributions to American-Russian cultural relationsMonday, October 7, 2013Embassy of the Russian Federation2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NorthwestCity of Washington

American-RussianCultural Cooperation FoundationBoard of DirectorsThe Hon. John R. BeyrleThe Hon. Joseph D. DuffeyMichael B. GoldsteinHis Excellency Sergey I. KislyakAmbassador of the Russian FedertionHonorary DirectorThe Honorable James W. SymingtonChairmanGeorge HambletonDonald M. KendallSusan Carmel LehrmanPaul RodziankoRabbi Arthur SchneierShelley ZeigerAlexander PotemkinExecutive DirectorDr. James H. BillingtonChairman, Advisory BoardHonorary CommitteesCulturalEldar AlievYuri BashmetJames H. BillingtonAaron DiehlKurt EllingMercedes EllingtonValery GergievTigram HamasyanMichael KaiserC. Douglass KrollRamsey LewisChristian McBrideJulian MilkusSergey MironenkoVladimir SpivakovJamie Wyeth2CongressionalCongressman Xavier BecerraSenator Michael BennetCongressman Robert BradySenator Richard BurrSenator Saxby ChamblissCongressman Tom ColeCongressman John D. DingellSenator Tom HarkinSenator Patrick LeahyCongressman Jim MoranSenator Patty MurrayCongressman Tom PetriSenator Charles E. SchumerSenator Jeanne ShaheenSenator Richard ShelbySenator Sheldon Whitehouse

Dear Friends,It is my great pleasure to congratulate the American-Russian CulturalCooperation Foundation for celebrating this lesser known historic event that tookplace 150 years ago – the Russian Navy’s grand visits to New York andSan Francisco. I would like to commend the Foundation for the creation ofits very successful program of highlighting the most significant pages of Russian-American history.I wish to thank ARCCF for its efforts over the past 21 years contributingto the enhancement of mutual understanding and appreciation between our twocountries. Arccf was one of the very first American public organizations establishedwith the sole purpose of encouraging and supporting increased cultural exchangewith the United States back in 1992. Cultural relations should always be integralto the successful conduct of our respective political and diplomatic affairs.I also wish to give special thanks to my friend and Chairman of the Foundationsince its inception Hon. James Symington who is a well-known supporter ofAmerican-Russian relations, an enthusiastic Russophile, a valued friend of mycountry and myself, and who has been rightfully recognized for his spirited andproductive work by Russia with the presentation of “The Order of Friendship”, oneof the highest awards bestowed by the President upon foreigners. It is my sinceresthope that the work of the ARCCF will persist and that friendship between the peopleof Russia and the people of the United States will continue to grow.Best wishes,Sergey I. Kislyak3

BenefitCommitteeAmy BallardJocelyn and John BeyrleThe Hon. and Mrs. Stuart BernsteinMoyra ByrnePrince David and Princess Eugenie ChavchavadzeThe Hon. Charles Ervin and Dr. Jane ErvinJinny and Michael GoldsteinDiana and George HambletonCarla and Roderick HillsNina Rodale HoughtonNancy and Paul IgnatiusSasha KayThe Hon. and Mrs. Tom C. KorologosStephanie and Gene LawsonDr. and Mrs. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr.Bruce and Virginia MacLauryJoann and John MasonMcLarty AssociatesPrincess Alexis N. ObolenskyPhil and Nina PillsburyJames G. Randolph, Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret)Earl and Carol RavenalChauncie and Paul RodziankoAnn SantiniRabbi and Mrs. Arthur SchneierThe Hon. Jane D. Sloat and Mr. C. Jackson Ritchie, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Stafford SmileyAnnie S. TotahMary Margaret ValentiVeronika and Eberhard von LoehneysenMarion and Shelley ZeigerMr. and Mrs. Jacob Zeigler5As of September 20, 2013

Greetings fromThe Chairman of the BoardThe American Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, having turned 21,takes a step back to thank those who have helped it reach its majority. Thelist begins with our esteemed host and hostess, Ambassador and Mrs. SergeyKislyak, whose encouragement and support have sustained us over the years.The same must be said of their principals, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov andformer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.As I have noted before, none of our major undertakings could have flourishedwithout the financial support of the American business community and its Russiancounterpart, plus, indeed, that of such dear friends and financial contributorsas those gathered here tonight – beginning with the Chair of this evening’s event, Susan Lehrman, whosethoughtful and imaginative programs on our behalf are unrivaled.Once again I must express my appreciation to all my fellow members of the ARCCF Board and most certainlyto our long time Executive Director, Alexander Potemkin, whose vast knowledge and leadership have beeninvaluable to our endeavors from the very start. I also take great joy in welcoming two new Board Members:Ambassador John R. Beryle and tonight’s Event Chair Susan Carmel Lehrman. We continue to grow!In closing, I should like once again to invoke the prescient wisdom of Walt Whitman’s observation (the firstfour lines of which we selected for inscription on the Walt Whitman monument erected on the grounds ofMoscow University in 2009, at the Foundation’s initiative):“You Russians and we Americans!Our countries so distant, so unlike at first glance,and yet in certain features, and vastest ones,so resembling each other…both have their divine missionthe fervent element of manly friendships throughout thewhole people; the grand expanse of territorial limits andboundaries – the unformed and nebulous state of thingsnot yet permanently settled but agreed on all hands to bethe preparations of an infinitely greater future (with) leadingpositions to hold, keep, and if necessary fight for…thedeathless aspirations at the inmost center of each greatcommunity…are certainly features you Russians and weAmericans possess in common.As my dearest dream is for an internationality of poems andpoets binding the lands of the earth closer than all treaties anddiplomacy – how happy I should be to get the healing andemotional contact of the great Russian peoples.”This could pass for a mission statement of the ARCCF.James W. Symington6

Congratulations to theAmerican-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundationand the2013 HonoreesIgor Butman and Wynton MarsalisRussia’s and America’s finest Cultural Ambassadorsfor uniting us with your music and your friendshipBravo!I salute the work of the ARCCF and wish it continued success in bringing thepeoples of both countries closer together through art and culture!Spasibo !DONALD M. KENDALL7

From the Executive DirectorA Goodwill Visit with aLasting Cultural OutcomeAmong the cultural programsof the ARCCF, the most outstandinghave become those thatcelebrate the best pages in American-Russianrelations. During thelast 21 years, the ARCCF has celebratedthe first American contactswith Russian settlers in NorthernCalifornia; the advent of American-Russianscientific ties; the200 th Anniversary of American-Russian diplomatic relations; theWars of 1812; the relationshipand tragic fates of Tsar AlexanderII and Abraham Lincoln; and theanniversaries of our joint-victoriesin WWII. These celebrationsbrought back positive memoriesfrom past generations as well asthe legacy of collaboration betweenboth countries. They highlightedjoint experiences and focusedon lessons of the yesteryearthat still resound today.We are interested in and seek outthe cultural aspects of our sharedpast in accordance with our coremission. We seek to shine a spotlighton such aspects, stressing theimportance of art and culture inenhancing trust and understandingbetween our countries.This evening will illuminate alesser-known event – the goodwillvisit of the Russian Navy to NewYork and San Francisco duringthe Civil War.At the time of the Russian Fleetsvisit, 150 years ago, American-Russian cultural relations werejust beginning: the SmithsonianInstitution had just establisheda relationship with the RussianAcademy of Sciences; AmericanGeorge Washington Whistler hadhelped construct the first railwayin Russia between St. Petersburgand Moscow; and American journalsstarted publishing reviews ofRussian writers. Among the firstdiscovered by Americans wereIvan Turgenev and most prominentpoet, Alexander Pushkin. Inan article about Pushkin, Americanpoet John Greenleaf Whittierstressed that as Pushkin’s grandfather had been of African origin,the genial Russian poet servedas a good example against racialstereotypes. It is notable that themost popular book in both countriesat that time was “Uncle Tom’sCabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.This is not surprising as bothcountries were preparing to put anend to human bondage.8Russian readers enjoyed poems byLongfellow, and stories by WashingtonIrving, James FenimoreCooper, Bret Harte and Edgar AllanPoe. The works of Americanwriters were discussed at literarysalons attended by the giants ofRussian literature: Pushkin, Zhukovskiy,and Gogol. Likewise,American authors were well awareof the achievements of their Russiancounterparts. Longfellowdeveloped a great interest in Russianliterature. Likewise, FenimoreCooper stated in 1845: “Under allthe circumstances I became convincedof the Russian’s friendlydisposition toward us Americans….With Russians I alwaysfound friends, and I have reasonto think that other Americans experiencedon their part the samepoliteness.”The magnitude of the RussianNavy’s visit in 1863, which wasled by well-educated and culturallyoriented officers, could nothelp but begin to turn the tide.They stayed for nearly a year intwo culturally significant Americanports, contributing notablyto the nascent field of American-Russiancultural relations.Upon their arrival, cultural exchangeblossomed. In New York,the band aboard American FrigateNorth Carolina greeted the crewaboard Russian Frigate Alexander

Nevskiy with “God Save the Czar,”the Russian national anthem. TheNevskiy responded with a renditionof “Yankee Doodle.” Thehospitality given the Russiansailors included receptions, balls,and dinners with music, songs,and poetry readings. The most acclaimedevent was the Great RussianBall at the Academy of Musicin New York. It was an event withthe magnitude of an opera. It wasthe first showcase of comity betweenthe two nations via musicand visual arts. American writersand poets made colorful literaryspeeches and read their poetry onmany of these occasions. Likewise,Russian sailors, officers andadmirals immersed themselves inAmerican culture.With them, the Russians broughttheir own cultural traditions.Russian admirals threw reciprocalgatherings, exhibiting contemporarymusic of Russia. The commanders,Admirals Lesovsky andPopov, were patrons of literatureand connoisseurs of art. Amongtheir crews were, and not by coincidence,gifted performers of Russianmusic and dance.It was as if the Russian Navy shipswere coming to the first festivalof arts in the U.S. On board werecultural personalities who wouldbe at home in any internationalgathering. Composer NikolaiRimsky-Korsakov was a juniorofficer on the clipper Almaz. Itis recounted that his time at seaserved as motivation for many ofhis works, including the “Flight ofthe Bumblebee.” During his ship’sNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov asa junior naval officervisit to Boston, Rimsky-Korsakovgave a concert at the city theater.Among his colleagues was anotheryoung Russian officer, also welleducated in music, Ippolit Tchaikovsky,brother of the famouscomposer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Hewrote articles for the Russian pressabout his experience in the U.S.,stressing the warm hospitality givento Russians. The great composercertainly received much positiveinformation about America fromhis brother, which later facilitatedhis participation in the opening ofCarnegie Hall. And lastly, amongthe crew was Russian writer KonstantinStaniukovich, famous inRussia for his classic maritime stories.The experience of his uniquejourney became the source ofmany of his works. Some of themwere later translated and printedin this country. The interactionsbetween American writers, musiciansand art lovers and Russiantalents enhanced the cultural atmosphere,making the culturaldimension of the Russian fleets’visits even more prominent.Both sides benefited from thiscultural collaboration and gained9valuable knowledge of each other’scultural achievements. A youngU.S. lawyer, Eugene Schuyler,was so impressed by the Russianvisitors that he engaged in thetranslation of Turgenev’s famousnovel “Fathers and Sons.” It isno coincidence that Mr. Schuylerlater became a U.S. diplomat inSt. Petersburg. He wrote dozensof articles on Russian culture forAmerican magazines and newspapers.Another outcome of the visitwas the debut of Konstantin Staniukovich’sstories in the Russianpress, made possible by AdmiralPopov’s mediation. Finally, NikolaiRimsky-Korsakov returned toSt. Petersburg with his First Symphonynearly finished.Looking back, the most crowningachievement of the Russian Fleetsvisit was the connection that wasmade through curiosity, enthusiasmand appreciation for jointarts and culture. Both peoplesrecognized the importance of thecultural dialogue for creating ashared bond – the foundation fordeveloping better understandingand friendship.The ARCCF is very grateful to allour sponsors who adopted distinguishedNavy ranks this evening.They have demonstrated theirgenuine interest and understandingin the importance of what canbe achieved through our culturalprograms. With their continuedsupport and blessings, ARCCFwill bring you great momentsin American-Russian history foryears to come.Alexander Potemkin

OUR NEWSTOLD IN YOURLANGUAGErbth.ruPepsiCo CongratulatesIgor Butman and Wynton Marsalisfor their contributions toAmerican Russian Cultural Relations10

American-RussianCULTURAL COOPERATION FOUNDATIONThe American-Russian CulturalCooperation Foundationis ever grateful to tonight’s“Lord of the Admiralty”Donald M. KendallOne of our major sponsors andChairman of our 21st Annual Gala’s Sponsor Committee.Founding father, long-time valued Board Memberand distinguished recipient of theRussian Order of Friendship Medal and the Russian Order of Honor MedalThank you for all you have done through the yearsto further trust and understandingbetween the people of America and Russiathrough the celebration of their arts and culture.Спасибо • Spasibo • Thank You11

Sponsors’CommitteeLord of the AdmiraltyDonald M. Kendall, ChairmanLady of the AdmiraltySusan Carmel LehrmanVice AdmiralMars, IncorporatedCommodoreAbbott LaboratoriesBlavatnik Family FoundationChevronThe Hon. Joseph D. DuffeyLee and Juliet Folger FundPepsiCoThe Hon. and Mrs. James W. SymingtonCaptainCoca Cola CompanyCommanderArturo and Hilda Ochoa BrillembourgExxonMobilMrs. Shannon FairbanksPrince and Princess Piotr GalitzineDiana and George HambletonStephanie and Eugene LawsonAs of September 23, 201312

Thank Youto our gala ChairOur deep and heart-felt gratitude is extended to tonight’s“Lady of the Admiralty”Susan Carmel LehrmanFounder and Advisory Chair of theInitiative for Russian Culture at American Universityfor her vision, generosity, and participation in developing this evening’s gala.Susan Carmel Lehrman is the Founder and President of Lehrman LLC, a real estateinvestment company established in New York City in 1999. She serves on the Boardsof the Washington National Opera, the James Madison Council of The Library ofCongress, the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation and The MariinskyFoundation. She is the founder and Advisory Chair of American University’s Initiativefor Russian Culture and has established a Chair in Russian History and Cultureat American University in Washington, DC. She was recently awarded the rank ofChevalier in France’s Legion d’Honneur by France’s President Nicolas Sarkosy, andbecame the first American to receive the Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of theRussian Federation, both Awards were for contributions to international diplomacy. Inaddition, she is the 2012 recipient of American University’s Presidential Award and the2013 One To World Fulbright Award for Cultural Diplomacy.СПАСИБО! SPASIBO! THANK YOU!13

American University’sInitiative for Russian Culturesalutes theAmerican-RussianCultural Cooperation Foundationfor their great work and vision!American University is proud of the accomplishments of the Initiative for RussianCulture (IRC) now in its third year. The IRC promotes the understanding of allthings Russian among American students. We believe that students will profitgreatly from the film screenings, theatrical performances, musical concerts,conferences and symposiums that IRC organizes.visit www.american.edu/cas/irc for more information14

The MenuEmbassy of the Russian FederationOctober 7, 2013“Soirée Russe”an evening inspired by the Ball atsthe New York Academy of Music in 1863Poached Salmon á la Russewith LobsterCarved VegetablessJean Paul PIcard Sancerre 2012Filet of Beef with Sauce FinanciéreBreast of Partridge Toulouse StyleArtichokes á la LyonnaiseHaricots Verts with Buerre NoisettesChateau Coutet St. Émilion Grand Cru 2010Charlotte RusseCoffee and TeaMacaroons, Chocolate Bon Bonsand Union Drops15

Igor Butman2013 ARCCF Gala HonoreeIGOR BUTMAN, saxophone virtuoso,bandleader, club owner and television host, isRussia’s number one jazz personality. Initiallytrained on the classical clarinet, he laterswitched to jazz saxophone. He was briefly atthe Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music, butthen studied alto saxophone with GennadyGolshtein at the Mussorgsky School of Music inthe mid- to late 70s.At the end of the decade he was in a band ledby multi-instrumentalist David Goloshchokin.He then played in the big band led by OlegLundstrem, before joining pianist NikolaiLevinovsky’s Allegro. Because Allegro’s bookcalled for a tenor saxophonist, Butman againswitched instruments, this time finding histrue métier. Among other bands with whichhe played were Popular Mechanics, Kino andAquarium.Butman had taught himself to speak English andtherefore was able to talk to visiting Americanmusicians. Mr. Butman immigrated to Americain 1987 where he already had a “fan club” as hehad been invited to play while still in the USSRwith touring American musicians, includingDave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, GaryBurton, Louis Bellson and Grover Washington,Jr. He appeared on “The Today Show,” “GoodMorning America,” and numerous otherinternational programs.Butman moved back to Russia and became “ajazz bridge between Moscow and New York,”bringing to Russia and playing with EddieGomez, Lenny White, John Abercrombie, JoeLock and many others.Butman’s marvelous coalescence of soul, soundand technique drew praise from AmericanPresident Bill Clinton, one-time tenor sax man,at a State Dinner hosted by Vladimir Putinat the Moscow Kremlin. Clinton stated thatIgor Butman “may be the greatest living jazzsaxophone player, who happens to be a Russian.”16

Wynton Marsalis2013 ARCCF Gala HonoreeWynton Marsalis is the Managing andArtistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center anda world-renowned trumpeter, bandleader, andcomposer. Born in New Orleans, Marsalisbegan his classical training at twelve, andentered The Juilliard School at seventeen.Wynton assembled his own band in 1981,performing over 120 concerts every year for 15consecutive years.Since his recording debut in 1982, he has mademore than 70 jazz and classical recordings; hasbeen awarded nine GRAMMY® awards andhas sold over 7 million copies worldwide. In1983 and again in 1984 Wynton became thefirst and only artist to win both classical andjazz GRAMMYs® in the same year. In 1997 hewas awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for hisoratorio Blood on the Fields. He has receivedhonorary doctorates from over 25 of America’sacademic institutions including Columbia,Harvard, Howard, Princeton, and Yale. Wyntonwas granted Honorary Membership in Britain’sRoyal Academy of Music. The French Ministryof Culture appointed Wynton the rank ofKnight in the Order of Arts and Literature, andin 2009 he received France’s insignia Chevalierof the Legion of Honor.Marsalis helped lead the effort to construct Jazzat Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. RoseHall, which opened its doors in October 2004and is now celebrating its 26 th season. UnderWynton’s leadership Jazz at Lincoln Center hasdeveloped an international agenda presentingdiverse programming that includes concerts,debates, film forums, dances, television, radiobroadcasts and educational activities.In 1999, the JLCO toured Russia; andduring that tour at the Kremlin Palace,JLCO performed with the Russian NationalOrchestra. Marsalis has also led trumpet masterclasses at Moscow State Conservatory. Marsalisfirst collaborated with the Igor Butman BigBand in 2003.17

The Tsar and the PresidentThe Tsar and the President…one cannotpossibly be more different than the other.Yet Russian Tsar Alexander II and AmericanPresident Abraham Lincoln seem to have sharedmuch in common: both were leaders of greatcountries in crucial times and earned famein history for their parallel achievements ofliberating millions in bondage. Furthermore,both men shared the same tragic fate. Despitevery different origins and political backgrounds,they found a way to develop a real friendship,which can be derived from their correspondencewhere both leaders signed their letters “Yourgood friend.” Through their letters andfriendship, they were able to lay the foundationfor good relations between their two countriesduring each leader’s respective tenure.Alexander II’s attitude towards the US isillustrated by several quotations, which we haveselected from diplomatic documents of his time.These documents illuminate the background thatpaved the way for the Russian Navy’s goodwillvisit to the US in 1863. Similarly, Americandiplomatic documents reflect reciprocalsentiments towards Russia. We hope these vivid18testimonials of the past might be of interest to acontemporary audience.Much of the diplomatic correspondence betweenLincoln and Alexander II was conducted by theirown hand-picked diplomats and advisors. In theirprivate letters, the President and the Tsar focusedmore on personal matters. It was left to PrinceAlexander M. Gorchakov and his Russian envoyto the US, Edouard de Stoeckl, to relay Russianpolicy to Secretary of State William H. Sewardand his Chargé d’Affaires, Bayard Taylor toexpress the American disposition towards Russia.Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, PrinceGorchakov sent a dispatch to Edouard de Stoecklon June 28, 1861:“… for the more than eighty years that it has existedthe American Union owes its independence, itstowering rise, and its progress, to the concord ofits members, consecrated under the auspices of itsillustrious founder, by institutions which have beenable to reconcile a union with liberty. It would bedeplorable that, after so conclusive an experience,the United States should be hurried into a breachof the solemn pact which, up to his time, made

The James W. Symington AwardThe Initiative for Russian Culture recognizes the Honorable James W.Symington with an annual award in his name for thestudy of Russian language, culture, and internationalrelations. Honoring former Congressman Symington’s(D-MO) active pursuit of better U.S.-Russia relations,the award provides $10,000 for tuition and travelexpenses to attend the interdisciplinary summer programat the Moscow State Institute of International Relations(MGIMO-University).The 2012 award winner was Mr. Jaim Coddington, asenior at American University majoring in InternationalStudies. The 2013 winner will be announced tonight.History records our different world views, expectations,aspirations and divergent political systems, howeverThe United States and the Russian Federation must continue . . .f Sharing what has always united us: richand long histories and equally rich andlong cultural heritagesf Working together, negotiating andengaging to ensure a safer world, neverforgetting the strength and importanceof our cultural connections to that endThe United States and the Russian Federation must continue . . .f Paying mutual respect and appreciationfor each other’s history, and our immenseculture, customs and traditions;f Strengthening the cultural connectionswe have woven together and thecontributions they continue to make toour very well-being.With deep respect for the important and vital work of theAmerican-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation.JOSEPH D. DUFFEYSenior Vice PresidentLaureate International Universities20

The President and The TsarThis Limited Edition Medal (only 100 struck) was produced on the occasion of the150 th Anniversary of the visit of the Russian Navy to New York and San Francisco,by the “Academy of Russian Symbolic ‘MARS’” in Moscow, in recognitionof this historic connection between the United States and Russia.Photo courtesy of: Vitaly Kislov, Moscow21

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Mars, Incorporatedis proud to supportThe American-RussianCultural CooperationFoundation’s2013 Annual Gala23

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СПАСИБО! SPASIBO! THANK YOU!Our Deep AppreciationTo His Excellency The Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Mrs. Kislyak fortheir continuing support and enthusiasm for the work of the ARCCF.To Cultural Attaché Pavel Spitsyn and the rest of thestaff of the Embassy of the Russian Federation for their coordination and assistancethroughout the planning of this annual gala event.To Alexander Vershinin, Director General of the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library,for providing the Library’s film for our viewing pleasure in theEmbassy Auditorium this evening.To the State Archive of the Russian Federation for providing historic documents and photosdisplayed tonight regarding the visit of the Russian Navy to the US.To Marsha LeBeouf, Costumer Director for Washington National Opera and to those operasupernumeraries who have helped take us back to 1863: Samantha Page Smithfor portraying Mary Todd Lincoln; Mike Walker for portraying Admiral S. S. Lesovsky;and Rey Rivera, Fernando Varisco, Eric Schultz and Victor Yagerfor portraying Sailors from the Russian Navy this evening.To Russian Standard Vodka for their generous contribution of productfor this evening’s festivities.ARCCF gratefully acknowledges former Ambassador to RussiaJohn R. Beyrle and his wife Jocelynfor lending their collection of Jazz MemorabiliaPlease take time to enjoy the display sof artifacts downstairs as you leave this embassy.25

The Grand Duke’s visit . . . Then and nowIn 1996, as Chairman of the ARCCF, I decidedto commemorate the 125 th Anniversary ofthe visit to America by Grand Duke Alexis,the 21-year-old son of Tsar Alexander II,whose welcome support had been a comfortto President Lincoln. As the guest of PresidentGrant, Alexis toured America and wasenthusiastically welcomed by all (you willfind a summary of the visit in this evening’s“favor” bag). My thought then and now wasto invite exemplary Russians of similar age toreplicate the Grand Duke’s visit. To stimulateinterest (and financial support) we arrangeda Tolstoy-esque Ball at the Russian Embassy,attended by 500 guests, during which Sylviaand I performed a commemorative ballad,reproduced here, in part:He was just a young Navy Lieutenant,But hardly your average tar;For the two-headed bird on his pennantProclaimed him the son of the Czar.His manners he never forgotAt receptions, banquets, and fairs;And believe it or not he danced the gavotteWith the daughters of all of our Mayors.These events brought the Russia of TolstoyTo the nation of Whitman and Twain;Dostoyevski, Turgenev, Mussorgsky—We welcome them all back again.To the long-lasting bond that connects usPacifically coast to coast;To partnership, peace, and Alexis,Let’s raise every glass in a toast.My idea for such a visit is still waiting for sponsors. The ARCCF awaits word of your interest.James W. SymingtonPainting by Grandee, Joe. The Royal Buffalo Hunt. 1971. Oil on canvas, Private collection.26

SATHE–DECEM20Under the gracious patronage ofHis Excellency The Ambassador of the Russian Federationand Mrs. Sergey I KislyakThe American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation Board of DirectorsThe 1AnnivofTretyGalMagainvites you to celebrateThe 10th Anniversaryof the Tretyakov Gallery MagazineEmbassy of the Russian Federation z Washington, DC z December 2 z 6:30 to 9:00 pmproudly recognizingTretyakov Gallery Museum & GRANY Foundationfor their contribution to American-Russian cultural relationsFor advance reservations or information pleasecall 202 531 0862 or email TretyakovDec2@spotonevents.bizAmerican-RussianCULTURAL COOPERATION FOUNDATION27

American-RussianCULTURAL COOPERATION FOUNDATIONAmerican-RussianCultural Cooperation FoundationFounded by a distinguished group of American visionaries in 1992, the ARCCFhas arranged numerous presentations in both the visual and performing arts,promoting increased trust and understanding between Russians and Americans.Its exhibitions have been viewed by nearly a million visitors. The Foundationcreated a monument to the immortal Russian poet Alexander Pushkin inWashington DC, and initiated a reciprocal monument to Walt Whitman inMoscow. It has bestowed awards to some of the finest cultural voices of ourtime for their contributions to increasing cultural relations between the USand Russia. A partial listing includes Mstislav Rostropovich, Van Cliburn,Dave Brubeck, James Billington, Michael Kaiser, Valery Gergiev, and EvgenyYevtushenko. Tonight we are pleased and proud to add to this distinguished listby honoring our first joint-honorees, from the US and Russia, Wynton Marsalisand Igor Butman.ARCCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public organization dedicated to increased understandingand respect between the peoples of Russia and America through themutual appreciation of arts and culture. Recognized as a trusted organizer of majorexhibitions in leading museums of both countries, it has arranged performances byprominent Russian and American virtuosos and produced major events at the RussianEmbassy, the Kennedy Center, and Capitol Hill celebrating the most importantpages of our joint history.1050 17th Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington DC 20036202 457 8114 FAX 202 558 7459 A-RCCF.org