By Khalida Sarwari
Despite the way it’s depicted on CNN these days, Russia is a nation that has much to be proud of and celebrate. For starters, there are Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, not to mention Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. And lest anyone forget, Russia is the country that contributed vodka and nesting dolls to the world. With such a rich and influential culture and history, is it any surprise Russia has always played a pivotal role on the world stage?
To celebrate all things Russian, residents from across the South Bay are invited to the annual Russian Festival Sept. 27-28 at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Saratoga.
The two-day festival will feature plenty of culture, live entertainment and music, and traditional foods including golubtsy (stuffed cabbage), shashlyk (barbecued lamb) and pelmeni (dumplings), as well as a variety of desserts.
Along with a wide array of authentic food and drinks, the event will also feature booths, a raffle, traditional folk singers and dancers, Russian folk tale puppet shows–a perennial favorite among children–and vodka tasting at the Zakuska table for the grown-ups.
The lineup of performers include the Sivka Burka Cossack Choir, the St. Nicholas Dancers, the Balka Balalaika Band, and Seraphim Zupan and the Innocent Bystanders.
The festival will also offer an opportunity to pick up unique and imported gifts, such as silk-screened icons from Russia, chant and choral music on CD, and classic spiritual and children’s books.
The church’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Russian Festival has been around in one form or another for about 30 years. It initially began as a bazaar and white elephant sale.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 and from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 28. at 14220 Elva Ave.
Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children and seniors. Parking is free and available at the church as well as in surrounding neighborhoods.
For more information, call 408.867.0628 or visit saratogarussianfestival.com.
Link: Celebrate all things Russian at the Sept. 27-28 festival at St. Nicholas
