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Events

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. Films range from Soviet classics to contemporary films from Russia and the republics of the former Soviet Union. Other events include exhibitions, 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 open to both SCRSS members and non-members, unless otherwise stated.

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 tickets cost £3.00 (members) and £5.00 (non-members), unless otherwise stated. For all other events, please see individual listings below.

2013 Events Diary

January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December

January

Sunday 27 January
Event: Holocaust Memorial Day 10am
The event is organised by the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund (SMTF) and Southwark Council. Holocaust Memorial Day coincides with the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviet (Red) Army in 1945.
From 10am: Meet at the Amigo Hall, St George's Cathedral, Lambeth Road, London SE1.
10.30am: Southwark Council's commemoration on this year's Holocaust Memorial Day theme Communities Together Build a Bridge, with keynote speaker Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, Senior Rabbi West London Synagogue.
11.30: Act of Remembrance, led by SMTF Chairman Philip Matthews, at Southwark Council's Holocaust Memorial Tree and the Soviet War Memorial, including laying of wreaths.

The Soviet War Memorial is situated in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, London Borough of Southwark, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ. Please note: The Imperial War Museum is currently closed. There is no vehicle access to the area in front of the museum nor access to facilities inside.

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February

Saturday 23 February 2-4pm
Event: 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad Film Show
Two films to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory at Stalingrad:

Hurricanes to Murmansk (50 minutes, 2011, Atoll Productions for the RAF Russia Association with the support of the RAF Historical Society). The story of a secret Anglo-Soviet air operation following the Nazi invasion of Russia in June 1941, told through interviews with veterans, unique archive footage and stills. At Stalin's request Churchill sent an RAF Wing of Hurricane fighter aircraft, with pilots and ground crew, on the first Arctic convoy to Russia in August 1941. They trained Russian pilots, gave fighter escort to Russian bombers and flew successful operations with them against the Nazis from their base near Murmansk.

Normandie-Niéman (114 minutes, 1960, Mosfilm Studios and Alkan Film, FrancoLondonFilms, directed by Jean Dréville. Russian / French cast, English sub-titles). The film recounts the combat activities of the pilots of the French Normandie-Niéman squadron who fought in the ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces against the Fascist invaders from 1941-45.

Normal entrance fees apply. Tea and coffee included.

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March

4 - 15 March, Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
Exhibition:Soviet Modernist Art and Design c 1917 - 91
An exhibition from the SCRSS archive at the University of Sheffield. Venue: University of Sheffield, Ground Floor Foyer, School of Languages and Cultures, Jessop West, 1 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield S3 7RA. Christine Lindey of the SCRSS, an art historian and critic, gives an opening talk on Monday 4 March at 5pm in the Seminar Room adjacent to the exhibition. The exhibition and opening talk are open to the public and admission is free.

Friday 8 March 7pm
Lecture: Andrew Jameson on Working as a Volunteer Lecturer in Russia - A Guide
Andrew Jameson is a former lecturer in Russian at Lancaster University, now a translator and researcher in Russian Studies. He is also a member of the SCRSS Council. He has worked as a volunteer lecturer in Russia on many occasions and talks about his experiences, offering insights to other potential lecturers. The talk includes useful take-away materials, as well as a slideshow of Andrew's photographs of Moscow, Khabarovsk, Birobidzhan and the Victory Day fly-past.
Normal entrance fees apply.

Saturday 16 March 11am-4pm
Event: SCRSS Book and Souvenir Sale
Books in Russian and English on Art, Literature, History, Music, Poetry, Russian language teaching, etc. Beautiful Russian / Soviet souvenirs. All at reasonable prices. Refreshments available.
Admission free.

Friday 22 March 7pm
Lecture: Dr Emily Lygo on Bringing Soviet Culture to Britain: The SCR's Activities and Interests 1924-45
A look at how the Society for Cultural Relations with the USSR (now the SCRSS) was shaped by and catered for intellectuals' interest in the Soviet Union before and during the Second World War, and how such activities were received by the British public, and monitored by British security services anxious about the spread of Bolshevik ideas and influence. Dr Emily Lygo is Lecturer in Russian at the University of Exeter. As part of her research into Anglo-Soviet cultural relations, she is currently researching the history of the SCRSS, covering two periods from 1924-45 and 1945-91.
Normal entrance fees apply.

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April

Friday 12 April 7pm
Lecture: David Lane on What Next for Russia?
David Lane discusses the impact of transformation on the post-socialist countries and distinguishes between positive and negative consequences. Over a period of twenty years public attitudes have changed. Dr Lane outlines the challenges facing Russia and examines the different components of the political and economic elites, as well as their preferences for political change. Finally, he considers the possibility of a movement to socialism.

David Lane is an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences, Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and was previously Professor of Sociology at the University of Birmingham. He is also a former Vice-Chair of the SCRSS. He is currently studying unemployment in Ukraine, Russia and China. His most recent publications include: Elites and Classes in the Transformation of State Socialism, 2011; Rethinking the 'Coloured Revolutions' (with Stephen White), 2010; Elites and Identities in Post-Soviet Space, 2011; The European Union and World Politics (with Andrew Gamble), 2009; and The Transformation of State Socialism: System Change, Capitalism or Something Else?, 2007.
Normal entrance fees apply.

Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 April 10am - 4.30pm
Event: 6th SCRSS Russian Language Seminar
Brush up your Russian! Back by popular demand and now at a weekend, our intensive two-day Russian language seminar in London gives advanced-level students and teachers the opportunity to hear talks in Russian by senior lecturers from the University of St Petersburg. Talks cover a range of themes on Russian language, culture and society. Fees held at 2011 rates. More information and application form.

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May

Thursday 9 May 11am
Event: Victory Day

Act of Remembrance at the Soviet War Memorial to mark the 68th anniversary of the Allied Victory over Fascism. The Memorial is located in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, Lambeth Road, London SE1 (adjacent to the Imperial War Museum). Standard bearers should arrive by 10.15am, other participants should be present at the Memorial by 10.45am. The event is organised by the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund (SMTF). For more information, please contact the Hon Secretary of the SMTF, Ralph Gibson, on smtf@hotmail.co.uk. Note: The Imperial War Museum is currently closed for renovations, therefore its facilities will not be available for this event.

Saturday 18 May 12.30pm
Event: SCRSS Annual General Meeting

Note: The AGM is open to SCRSS members only.
12.30 - 2.30pm: AGM
2.30pm: Talk by Hon Secretary Jean Turner on her 28 years at the Society. Accompanied by wine, soft drinks and nibbles.

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June

Friday 7 June 7pm
Lecture: John Riley on Beyond the Rite's Riot

2013 marks the centenary of Stravinsky's seminal ballet The Rite of Spring, written for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, with choreography by Nijinsky and designs by Roerich. Though the Paris premiere famously descended into a riot, it quickly became a regular part of the repertoire. Since that night there have been around 150 different productions and countless performances as a concert work. Using film and music examples, John Riley tells the story of the composition and its premiere, and puts the work into the context of Stravinsky's career and of 20th-century music.
Normal entrance fees apply.

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July

Summer recess

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August

Summer recess

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September

Details to be confirmed

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October

Details to be confirmed

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November

Details to be confirmed

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December

Details to be confirmed

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SCRSS exhibition poster - Soviet Modernist Art and Design 1917 - 1991(copyright SCRSS)

 

Related Links

Soviet War Memorial

 

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