The American Women's Organization of Moscow - Online Magazine for May 2019 (redacted)

newsletter

THE AMERICAN WOMEN’S ORGANISATION OF MOSCOW

May 2019

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT With the May Holidays approaching and preparations being made to celebrate with family and friends, it’s a great reminder of how precious time is. A few spouses might have this time off and schools are closed giving us that well needed opportunity for us to spend time with our families. Enjoy and never take it for granted.

We have a lot happening also with our AWO family this month! We will have a book exchange at our next meeting on May 15, The Nastenka Charity Cocktail happening on May 17, and Call My Bluff on May 25. At our May 29 meeting, Mary Kaye Sales Director Ekaterina Chirkova will join us and share tips on summer skin care. Also stay tuned for information about our family picnic happening in June.

All the information and more in this wonderful May issue!

Enjoy, Michele

List of Contents 3 4 5

Save the Date

Notes from the Editor

Events of the Month

6 We’ve Been Featured in FAWCO Magazine!

9 10

Introducing our new Board Members

Flower Symbols in Russia: Red Carnations

11 Learn More About FAWCO

12 16

Youth Programs

Special offers for AWO Members

Your 2018-2019 AWO Board

May 2019 // 2 !

May 15 May 29 with a new time of: 11:30-13:30 at O2 Lounge Book Swap Day! Join our book exchange during our next Coffee Morning meeting on May 15.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Tverskaya Ulitsa 3.

The Nastenka Charity Cocktail May 17 Call My Bluff (more details will be provided soon) May 25 .

Summer Skin Care Presentation

by Mary Kaye Sales Director Ekaterina Chirkova at our Coffee Morning on May 29.

May 2019 // 3!

THE MONTH OF PARADES! After the surprisingly warm and sunny days in April, May welcomes us with more sunshine and many festivals. Get your sneakers out ladies ‘cause this is the month of parades and celebrations in Moscow!

We’re starting the month with the May 1 parade, followed by the famous Victory Day celebrations on May 9. The Muscovites either leave this wonderful city for the long May holiday or keep marching the streets and singing in the famous squares apparently! If you’re staying in town during the May holidays, there are plenty of exciting events that you can enjoy.

The Spring A Capella Music Festival is one of the other highlights of this month. The Festival will start on the 1st of May and last until the 12th.

The Soviet era ties in nicely with the month of May, because it is both a nostalgic month and a way to bring the good traditions of community and family into the new age by promoting an active way to welcome spring into our

lives. Visiting an interesting exhibition that presents the Soviet era from an artistic perspective may help you get in the mood of the month perhaps a little more. This loud and fun month of parades will end with the traditional Bicycle Parade on May 26th. Make sure to check your Yandex navigation apps before you drive in the city these days!

Thanks Eugenie for compiling the “Events of the Month" list for us and agreeing to contribute to the Newsletter team from now on - as if you weren’t already doing a zillion other things for our Club! It’s so wonderful to have you on board.

Please accept the flowers below as a sign of my gratitude. (Oh, wait… was it even or odd number of flowers that I was supposed to give?

Perhaps I should take a look at the article about the “flower culture” in Russia on the pages to follow…)

Irem

May 2019 // 4 !

Events of the Month Spring and Labour Day Parade - May 1, 2019 // Various Locations May 1st - Labour Day; events throughout the city, a lot to do in the centre, specifically all around the Boulevard Ring. Most people will be walking the festive colourful streets enjoying treats, activities and music.

Head down to the Red Square and enjoy the festivities and concert.

Victory Day Parade - May 9, 2019 // Various Locations This is a great opportunity to share the patriotic spirit of this event and see some serious war machinery along the way. Be aware that this is a very busy and special day, traffic will be limited as most main roads become pedestrian only. Limited access to Tverskaya street and adjacent streets. Please check where your roads will be shut down and public transport may be affected.

Moscow Spring A Capella 2019 Music Festival - May 1-12, 2019 // Revolution Square This festival is an open international contest for a cappella singers held as part of Moscow Seasons cycle of outdoor events. Russia’s capital will host the event for the third time this year. A wide variety of styles and genres – from opera, folk, and traditional church music to jazz, rock, and beatboxing – are performed at the competition. And more than that, captivating master classes, theatre performances, and exhibitions are waiting for festival-goers. For more information visit: https://acappella.moscow/en World Dance Olympiad - until May 12, 2019 // Sokolniki World Dance Olympiad in Sokolniki is the biggest dance marathon in the world! It will encompass more than 50 international competitions in different styles. You can book your tickets here: http:// danceolympiad.com/index.php/posetitelyam Exhibition “The History of Tourists in the Soviet Tourism Posters” - until May 20, 2019 // Museum of Moscow The Musem of Moscow hosts an exhibit of Soviet tourism posters (1930 - 1970) that were specifically designed for foreign visitors. The works have been sourced from private collections. There are other Soviet era travel paraphernalia on display like luggage, transport and photographs from the 1960s to the 19080s.

The event marks the 90th anniversary of the travel company Intourist. http://mosmuseum.ru/exhibitions/ p/istoriya-inturista-v-sovetskom-turisticheskom-plakate-iz-chastnyih-sobraniy/ Bicycle Parade - May 26, 2019 // The Garden Ring Let’s bike it! The traditional bicycle parade on the Garden Ring starting at 11am on Akademika Sakharova.

The length of the circular route will be 16 kilometres. This parade was created to raise awareness that the city needs a good functioning bicycle infrastructure. For more information please visit: https://i-bike-msk.ru/

May 2019 // 5!

We’ve Been Featured in FAWCO Magazine!

We’ve got some exciting news! AWO Moscow is featured in the Spring issue of FAWCO’s Inspiring Women magazine! Below you may find a copy of the article. If you’d like to read more about the inspiring FAWCO women all over the world, here is the link to their latest issue: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62622163/inspiring-women-spring-2019

May 2019 // !7

May 2019 // 8!

Introducing our new Board Members!  

Hello ladies! I'm Meg Aw from California. I am your new AWO Treasurer. I arrived in Moscow in October 2018 and joined AWO my first week. AWO was a wonderful organization to help me get acquainted with Russia and meet new friends. I look forward to serving on the board this year.

Hi, I’m Beth Osowski, coordinator for Monday Updates. My husband and I moved to Moscow last summer. This is our second international assignment, as we lived for three years in Delhi, India before moving here. As I originally hail from the Midwestern U.S., I again had to get used to snow, boots and winter gear, and I am happy to have successfully made it through my first Moscow winter!

I have both bachelors and masters degrees in horticulture from the University of Illinois, but have also worked in dierent roles as program coordinator and executive assistant, which I also enjoy. My husband Chris and I love to travel and visit new places. I also like to read, jog, do yoga, watch movies and explore this fantastic city. I really appreciate the AWO for helping me to meet so many nice people and to take part in fun activities - it has definitely made the move here much easier!

May 2019 // 9!

Flower Symbols in Russia: Red Carnation

by Irem Sunar

I am fascinated by the “flower culture” aspect of the amazing Russian culture.

Attributing different meanings to flowers was something I had already witnessed in other countries. But what makes Russian culture unique in this regard, in addition to millions of other things, is the emphasis Russians give to not only to the type of flowers, but also the color and the number of flowers. Let me enlighten you with what I’ve learned about them so far: The number of flowers you should give to a person on a special occasion is even on the “10 Things to Avoid Doing in Russia” type of lists for tourists and expats! If this is still a mystery to you, please note that the golden rule is: odd numbers (be it 1 or 1001) represents a happy occasion, while even numbers should be reserved for funerals and sympathy arrangements. Another important aspect is the color. Carnations have many meanings in Russian culture. But be very careful with your selection of color if you’re planning to give it as a gift!

carnations became the symbol of Soviet Revolution in 1917 after the Bolshevik Party printed badges shaped like red carnations.

The badges then turned into leaflets that quickly gained huge popularity amongst the comrades at the time. The symbol has turned into a custom when a set of red carnation badges were issued to honour the fallen soldiers in the war.

Today it is a tradition to lay out even number of red carnations (once again, be careful with the number) at war memorial sites to commemorate the Victory Day on May 9th. So if you’ll be out next week to enjoy the Victory Day parade in Moscow, remember to bring red carnations with you.

Oh, what was the correct number again?..

Although white is a very amiable color, white carnations are believed to take away good luck and talent. Thus, it is taken as a bad omen and must not be presented to performers!

Red carnations, on the other hand, have a totally different meaning. They are one of the symbols of the Russian Victory Day. Red

May 2019 // 1! 0

Learn More About FAWCO Youth Programs

by Daniele Kuznetsov

TCKs-that is the title children in expat families are given that explains their life experience of living and studying abroad. Third Culture Kids is a unique term which describes the childhood of living out of one culture while being firmly planted in another. As parents, navigating this experience brings challenges and opportunities; especially during the high school years. AWO can help!

As a member of AWO, you are automatically a member of FAWCO once you have signed up on their site. Our members can take advantage of two unique offerings.

FAWCO offers a Youth Cultural Volunteer Program to connect the dots of that student’s life experience and promote greater cultural understanding and awareness of its connection to global issues. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to blend their worlds and see themselves as emerging global citizens working together to create a better world for future generations.The 2019 Cultural Volunteers Program will be held in

Athens, Greece, October 16-23, 2019 ‒ and hosted by AWO Greece. Students stay with host families and volunteer with local charities alongside with peers from other countries around the world. Follow the link to find more information on the program and application process: https:// www.fawco.org/global-issues/youthprogram/cultural-volunteers FAWCO also offers a Youth Ambassador Program for those students looking for a meaningful GAP year experience once high school is finished. This program offers young adults a chance to experience new cultures, learn about the world, and do hands-on volunteer work while contributing to our member clubs. Information on this program can be had by writing to fawcoyouth@fawco.org.

As you know, FAWCO has a presence at the UN as they and has special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council. If your student is interested in becoming more involved under UN issues, there is an ongoing module where children of FAWCO members participate in UN Conferences and activities. Click on this link to connect your student with FAWCO UN YOUTH REPS information: https:// www.fawco.org/un-advocacy/un-repsand-global-issues/youth

May 2019 // !11

Special Offers for AWO Members

EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING

Start your day with a signature spa experience for 90 minutes or more.

Relax in the aqua area with a lapping pool, jacuzzi, steam rooms, sauna and fitness studio.

Enjoy complimentary breakfast in the O2 Lounge or a Russian Tea Ceremony in The Ritz-Carlton Lounge & Bar for one person before or after your treatment.

To book this special offer, please contact us at +7 495 642 7052 or by email rc.mowrz.spa@ritzcarlton.com.

Terms and Conditions: Special offer is valid Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 2 PM till June 30th, 2019. Minimum duration time of a booked spa treatment should be no less than 90 minutes. Advanced reservation is required. Can not be combined with other offers or promotions.

April 2019

ritzcarlton_moscow #rcmemories

// !12 May 2019 // !12

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All of our Doctors provide exceptional service and are committed to giving you a perfect smile.

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WHY? - An excellent health benefit for employees - Reduces the number of sick days taken due to dental issues - Less time needed for routine dental check-ups - Having the dentist at your work guarantees good dental health and increases work success of employees WHERE ?

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WHEN ?

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Orthodontic Consultations | Adjustments | Braces |Invisalign

Cosmetic Cleaning |Zoom Whitening

A healthy workplace is a productive one!

Take the pain out of going to the dentist and let us come to you!

CONTACT US: Email address marketing@usdentalcare.com Phone number +7 (495) 933-86-86 Moscow Olympiyskiy prospect 16, bld.5

GET ONBOARD DENTABUS! BOOK TODAY!

Intermark is happy to present you Intermark Club – a rapidly growing platform for expats in Russia!

It is an absolutely free community with access to discounts and presents from our English friendly partners – restaurants, shops, online & offline services all over Moscow. Our members have special prices on Russian culinary master classes and city tours.

The goal of Intermark Club is to make everyday life in a foreign country easier and fuller. We organize expat meet-ups: in March we had a free Garage museum tour for 60 people with professional English speaking guides. Our friends among Moscow expat community host high

quality international oriented parties and theatre plays in English where Intermark Club members are always welcome.

On Intermark Club website (http:// intermarkclub.ru/) it is easy to find out what is going on in Moscow, buy tickets to concerts, theatres or to the cinema to watch films in original language.

Every month we pick the best events and news of the following month in our Digest.

You can help our project to grow even bigger by joining us or following our Facebook page. Membership is free for everyone.

Thanks to our sponsors:

April 2019 // 1! 5 May 2019 // 1! 5

Your 2018-2019 AWO Board

Michele Kuhlen President, Charity Liaison

Irem Sunar Newsletter

Danielle Kuznetsov Vice President

Meg Aw

Salma Nurmohamed

Treasurer

Secretary

Spread Sunshine, FAWCO REP Facebook

Dawn Biyashev Interest Groups

Kelley Jackson Special Events and Fundraising

Beth Osowski Monday Updates

Eugenie Tsesarenko Membership Newsletter

Becky Zenkevich Ex-OďŹƒcio

May 2019 // !16

WE ARE SOCIAL! CONTACT US HERE:

www.facebook.com/groups/ awomoscow/ www.facebook.com/ awomoscowrussia www.instagram.com/awomoscow www.awomoscow.com