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
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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