The SCRSS organises a regular programme of lectures
and film shows at its premises in London. Lectures cover a range
of topics on the culture, history and language of Russia and the
former Soviet Union. They usually last 45 minutes and are followed
by a short question and answer session. Film shows include screenings
of classic 19mm Soviet films of the 1930s-70s held in the Society's
collection. Other events include exhibitions, Russian language
seminars and meetings with visiting Russians. The Society is also
involved in educational and commemorative events associated with
the Soviet War Memorial in London. Events are normally open to
both SCRSS members and non-members.
Venue and Tickets
Most events, including our regular lectures and film shows, take
place at the SCRSS. Lectures and film
shows normally start at 7pm, with tea and coffee served from 6.30pm.
Lecture and film show tickets cost £3.00 (members) and
£5.00 (non-members) and can be purchased on the door. Ticket
prices for all other events vary - see listings below for details.
2012 Events Diary
January
Friday 20 January 7pm
Film: An Evening of Films by Aktan Abdykalykov, Kyrgyzstan
Our two films from award-winning Kyrgyz director Aktan Abdykalykov
are shown courtesy of the Arts and Culture Network Program of
the Open Society Institute, Budapest. We begin with the short
documentary film A Dog was Running (Kyrgyzfilm Studios,
1990, 17 minutes, English sub-titles). This is followed by the
prize-winning feature film Beshkempir (Kyrgyzstan / France
1998, 78 minutes, English sub-titles).
Beshkempir begins with five old women performing a ceremony
for the adoption of an orphaned baby by a childless family. The
baby boy is named Beshkempir (five women) to protect him from
the evil eye. The film looks at how the boy comes to terms, as
a teenager, with the news that he is a foundling and his changing
relationship with his adoptive parents and grandmother. The film
combines several episodes in the manner of a Kyrgyz patchwork
quilt (kurak) where each patch of fabric is a personal memory.
Note: Admission to this event is free (SCRSS members and
non-members), but all tickets must be reserved at least one week
in advance. Telephone the SCRSS to
reserve a ticket. Doors open 6.30pm.
Friday 27 January 10.30am
Event: Holocaust Memorial Day
This year's Act of Remembrance, organised by the Soviet Memorial
Trust Fund (SMTF), takes place at the Soviet
War Memorial in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Lambeth Road,
London SE1 (adjacent to the Imperial War Museum). If you would
like to attend the ceremony, please contact the Hon Secretary
of the SMTF, Ralph Gibson, on smtf@hotmail.co.uk or write to the
SMTF c/o 320 Brixton Road, London SW9 6AB.
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February
Friday 24 February - Friday 2 March
11am - 3pm
Exhibition: The Arts of Russian and Soviet Modernists
from the SCRSS Archives
An outstanding collection of posters, photographs, theatre and
architectural designs, book and record covers, book illustrations
and children's books from the SCRSS's unique archive. The exhibits
show the continual artistic influence of the Russian and Soviet
modernists throughout the Soviet period. The exhibition is open
daily except Sunday 26 February. Admission is free.
Note: On Friday 2 March the exhibition will also be on view
from 6-7pm for visitors attending Ralph Gibson's lecture on 'The
Russian Presidential Election 2012' (see below). Normal admission
fees apply for the lecture.
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March
Friday 2 March 7pm
Lecture: Ralph Gibson on The Russian Presidential
Election 2012
Following Russian parliamentary elections in December 2011, the
focus in Russian politics shifts to the Russian presidential election
on 4 March 2012. Two days ahead of this important election, for
which the current prime minister Vladimir Putin remains the leading
candidate representing United Russia, Ralph Gibson of RIA Novosti
press agency considers the context, the candidates and the key
issues.
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April
Events to be confirmed.
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May
Saturday 19 May 10.30am
Event: SCRSS Annual General Meeting
The AGM is open to SCRSS members only.
Saturday 19 May 2pm
Lecture: John Riley on the Film Society
John Riley repeats his fascinating illustrated talk on the UK's
first film society (1925-39). Established by a group of left-wing
intellectuals, the Film Society aimed to show films of 'high quality'
with little chance of commercial distribution in the UK, including
Russian and Soviet titles refused certification by the BBFC. One
of the Film Society's guiding spirits was Ivor Montagu, and he
and several other founder members were also associated with the
Society for Cultural Relations with the USSR (the original name
of today's SCRSS). In his talk John Riley will look at the Film
Society, its shows and the debates that surrounded its work. John
Riley is a writer, curator and lecturer. His books include Dmitri
Shostakovich: a Life in Film (IB Tauris). He has recently
written on the Film Society for OUP and on 'Pioneering Russian
Film in London' for the second volume of Russian Presence
in Britain.
Note: Admission is free to SCRSS members who have attended
the AGM in the morning. For all other members and non-members
normal admission fees apply.
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June
Saturday 16 June
Event: Russian and Soviet History Seminar
The SCRSS is planning a special one-day seminar aimed at teachers
of A-level Russian history and undergraduate students. Four lectures
by leading academics will cover aspects of the Russian Revolution,
the Second World War, Soviet art and culture. Further details
will be confirmed later in the spring on this Events page and
via our email circulation list to SCRSS members.
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July
Events to be confirmed.
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August
Events to be confirmed.
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September
Events to be confirmed.
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October
Events to be confirmed.
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November
Events to be confirmed.
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December
Events to be confirmed.
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