The formation of the Russian Culture Club in the 2001-2002 was long overdue in Fair Lawn High School. With a Russian-speaking population at about 15% of the overall student body, the club became a place for students from the former Soviet Union and the United States interested in that region to explore various aspects of Russian culture. Most of all, it is a place where people from all backgrounds come together and discover their roots.
The aim of the Club is to preserve, promote, and explore the heritage and culture of the many different ethnic groups that make up the former Soviet Union. Since the principal language of the former USSR was Russian, we will emphasize it in our activities. The Club's goals are:
- To unite people who share longstanding historical and cultural traditions. This will be done through various means: watching movies, listening to music, watching taped news broadcasts and documentaries as well as communicating as much as possible in the Russian language. We hope to organize a field trip to a culturally relevant location followed by a lunch/dinner at a restaurant.
- To help in the transition to American life for many students who might have just recently arrived from countries of the former USSR. The club should be a support group for those who are seeking friends among their own ethnic group as well as a place where students will learn to assimilate into American society. In addition to these activities, we are open to the possibilities of community service or humanitarian work that would benefit the community in the Fair Lawn area. Membership is open to all that are sincerely interested in Russian language, culture and traditions. The Club meets at least twice a month after school on Thursdays in room C204.
Currently we have about 25 active members and another 10-15 "friends of the club" from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan and of course the United States (
Club Picture).
It is with great anguish and regret that we part with one of our beloved friends, Viktoriya Zatuchny. Vika was an active member during our very first year in existence. She began the Ninth Grade newly arrived from Kiev, Ukraine barely speaking any English. In two years she was able to speak fluently. Vika made everyone happy with her radiant smile and personality. She will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Vika's parents have set up a website in memory of her, you can find it at
http://www.inmemoryofvika.com/.
In the first two years of our existence, the RCC has sponsored several activities including:
- On Thursday, November 14, the RCC was fortunate to have Sergiy V. Glebov, Associate Professor of International Relations at Odessa National University speak to the members of the Club. Among the topics discussed were the current political conditions in the Ukraine, its participation in the War on Terrorism as well as its relations with Russia. After the lecture, Mr. Glebov fielded questions and spoke at length with a number of members. We wish Professor Glebov well and hope he can come back and visit us again (Pictures).
- World War II Victory Day presentations from Soviet War Veterans residing in Fair Lawn (Pictures);
- Russian Language Workshop: Native Russian speaking club members give speaking, reading and writing lessons to students, faculty and staff.
- Evenings out at local Russian Restaurants TRIO in Cliffside Park (Pictures) and ESCAPE in Elmwood Park;
- Russian food festivals at FLHS (Pictures);
- Ballroom dancing lessons