Photo credit: Imagelinkphoto
“Put in the most simple terms, the Institute will encourage American students to explore Russia for what it is, not what it is not. Our programs will allow young Americans to explore Russia for themselves and to interact with Russians to hear their point of view on their history, their culture, and the world,” said Dr. Anton Fedyashin, Director of the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History and Associate Professor, History Department, American University at the New Carmel Institute’s 4th Annual Symposium. The Institute is one of its kind in North America.
The newly established Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History at American University, formerly the Initiative for Russian Culture, was formally announced at a reception at the Katzen Center at American University following a symposium on the strong relationship that the US and Russia enjoyed during WWII. The symposium featured a distinguished panel of discussants, including Susan B. Eisenhower, CEO and Chairman, Eisenhower Group Inc., Frank Costigliola, author of Roosevelt’s Lost Alliances, Iskander Magadeev, co-author of I.V. Stalin, F. Roosevelt and W. Churchill during the Great Patriotic War, Research Documents, and the Honorable John R. Beyrle, U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2008-2012).
Susan Lehrman (Center)
The Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History is a gift to American University’s College of Arts and Sciences from international philanthropist and businesswoman Susan Carmel Lehrman.
“I established the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History (CIRCH) to continue all of the current Initiative for Russian Culture’s programs in perpetuity,” said Susan Lehrman. “Our programs, which are focused on greater cultural understanding between Russian and American University students, will be further enhanced through new coursework and student exchanges. These student exchanges are very important because I believe that there is no better way to get to know people than to live amongst them and listen to their opinions about themselves, about the world, and about one’s own country.” Ms. Lehrman’s gift will endow and elevate the former Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC) to fund the existing operations of the IRC in perpetuity in order to enhance and expand its already robust programming in cultural diplomacy.
Ambassador Sergey I. KISLYAK of the Russian Federation to the U.S. with Susan Eisenhower
Since its inception, the IRC has promoted greater understanding of Russian culture’s versatility and richness among all students in the Washington area’s Consortium of Universities. Its work continues to build lasting connections between Russians and Americans. More than 14,000 students and guests in the Washington Metro region have participated in IRC film screenings, panel discussions, and rich cultural experiences. The Institute will build upon this foundation by offering new classes, additional study abroad opportunities, and more robust academic symposia.
Ambassador Sergey I. KISLYAK
“I believe that, given the current political climate between our two nations, now is the most important time to establish this Institute,” said Lehrman. “Rather than ignoring the problems between our nations, our program focuses on culture, shared values and common interests as well as differences. By continuing to emphasize the importance of culture and common cultural bonds to students from every university in the Washington Metropolitan area, I believe the Institute will be making an investment in future generations by leading them toward a path of mutual cooperation and respect that will eventually lead to a more cooperative and peaceful world.”
