by intern Carly Maltzman
Photo credit: intern David Longo
“Alexander II corresponded with Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and Russia sent their fleets to protect our ports – so at that time Russia was our best friend when other countries were not,” Susan Lehrman explained at the elaborate 21st Annual Friends in Time of War Gala held at the Russian Embassy.
The Gala honored the 150th anniversary of the Russian Navy’s Goodwill visits to New York and San Francisco during the U.S. Civil War.
“During that time, a big ball and dinner was given for the Russian fleet,” she continued, The Friends in Time of War Gala aspired to emulate that night and recreate the ball and dinner that was given at the Astor House in New York. It’s like we’re going back to 1863.”
Under the patronage of H.E. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation and Mrs. Sergey I. Kislyak, along with honorary chairman Bill Clinton and event chair Susan Lehrman, the night commemorated American-Russian cultural relations and the kinship these countries hold today. Additionally, the Gala benefited the ARCCF’s cultural programs.
Alexander Potemkin – Executive Director of the ARCCF – Maestro Valerie Gergiev – Mariinski Theatre – Amb Sergei I. Kislyak – Amb of the Russian Federation. Photo credit: Imagelink
The ARCCF Foundation Award Honorees included Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis. “The significance [of these jazz greats] is that you have an iconic jazz legend from America and an iconic jazz legend from Russia – here you have contemporary cultural relationships and then you’re going back in time when we were friends in times of war, in times of peace – so that is a cultural connection,” Lehrman added.
Igor Butman
After awards were presented, Marsalis and Butman played again to everyone’s delight, especially after plates were filled with macaroons and Russian tea.
The Annual Gala is always festive, original and elegant. Each year the flavor of the evening is slightly different but with the same spectacular results.
A look back at last year’s event:
