Performance Title: Russian Pastries, River Russian Pastries is a performance prepared by a group of children ages 4-7. Russian Pastries are traditional Russian food made of yeast dough and usually filled with ground meat, cooked cabbage and mushrooms, or mashed potatoes. A long time ago these pastries were baked in a Russian hearth, and afterwards all the relatives and neighbors were invited to feast. They all shared the food, then followed with dancing and songs. Nowadays Russian people bake these pastries in modern stoves but they still keep this tradition of sharing food with friends and relatives. River is a performance of 8-12 year old children. Russia’s territory is crossed by over 2 million rivers with total of 7-8 million km in length. From early times the Russian people relied on rivers as a source of fresh water, fish, and transportation; as well as, a natural barrier from invaders. People settled as close to the rivers as possible, they appreciated everything that the river gave them and they continue to create many beautiful songs, poems and
dances devoted to majestic Russian rivers. Michigan Russian Cultural Center (MRCC), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to preserving Russian cultural heritage and providing classes and cultural programs to the youth of Russian speaking decent. MRCC have over 100 children currently enrolled in various Russian classes from 3 to 15 years old. Instructors: Olga Ludwick, Yevgeniya Pukalo, Olga Fedosseev, Sofia Menshchikova. Performers: Ekaterina Kovaleva, Michelle Fedosseev, Maria Batinic, Miranda Ludwick, Milena Hovis, Diana Koval, Victoria Goren, Evelina Hovis, Liliana Wess, Michael Mullin, Adalar Hovis, Matvey Pukalo, Yuriy Kshiminskiy, Daniel Stanovoy, Sergei Kshiminskiy, Edward Khaltsev, Max Sharkevich, Daria Kshiminskiy, Viktoria Selektor, Anastasiya Seliazniova, Maxim Seliazniov, Amilia Wess, Milena Pukalo, Anna Chikhalenko, Natalie Goren, Emy Galustyan, Adelina Akhmetshin, Marina Malyarenko, Alice Khaltsev, Elizabeth Sharkevich, Anna Mullin