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Obninsk Partes Choir Visit Marese Nephew - General comments VISIT OF THE PARTES CHOIR IN 1999 For the second time since Oak Ridge and Obninsk, Russia became sister cities, the Partes Choir visited here and performed together with the Oak Ridge Chorus and Symphony Orchestra. Not all of the 40 people Choir could come; 14 choristers and their conductor Tatyana Bulgakova were visitors in homes of members of the Sister City Support Organization for the two weeks of their stay. They had a very busy schedule. In addition to the practice sessions with the Oak Ridge Chorus and Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and the concert in May 15, they performed in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City, in church services at the Grace Lutheran and First United Methodist Churches in Oak Ridge. Last but not least they enriched they enriched the Mayfest program by singing Russian folk and contemporary songs at the pavilion. The hosts were busy too, getting the singers to all the appointed venues of practice and performance, and helping them find affordable places to shop, as well as showing them around our city which all of them found beautiful, paradisiacal even in its full spring glory. Many, many pictures were taken both by hosts and guests and some are available for viewing at the Sister City Support Organization web site at http//:www.korrnet.org/ortnscso/partes599.htm. We invite you to visit our web site and check it out! The Sister City Support Organization wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to all who helped make this visit possible, first and foremost to John Welsh, music director of ORCMA; the City of Oak Ridge which provided bus transportation to and from the airport; Grace Lutheran and First United Methodist Church for their support; the stalwart ladies and gentlemen who drove van loads of singers over long distances; as well as to all our members who shared homes, prepared potluck picnics, and provided practice space and outings for our guests. The great joy of meeting and getting to like people from our Sister City is doubled by becoming friends with other Oak Ridgers who share the desire to have friends abroad. Being a member of the Sister City Support Organization is a win-win thing. Join us!
Richard and Barbara Becker hosting Elena Khoudiakova
. Igor Zverev is an engineer of hydrology and owns his own business. He enjoys fishing and singing. He has a grown son and a 13 year old daughter and several stepchildren. Igor was a very quiet and reserved guest, ready to enjoy the neighborhood in daily walks and eager to help with garden chores. Loved that leaf blower! He had a by-pass operation on his heart last fall, but seems to be in excellent health and spirits now. Igor is 56 years old.
Tanya is an instructor in the Music School in Obninsk. She has a 17 year old son and a 15 year old daughter. Larisa is a kindergarten teacher in Obninsk. She had also become a "babushka" since her oldest daughter had marred a doctor in Moscow and presented her with a precious granddaughter, Anya. She also has a 17 year old daughter. During their visit, Larisa celebrated her birthday and it was complete with ice cream, cake and candles, flowers, wine, gifts, good friends and good songs.
Shigemi Simms hosting Elena Tchouvilkina Elena, the daughter of a Russian engineer, lived in Uzbekistan most of her life. About eight years ago she married a young Russian engineer there. After only one month, he was killed in the Afghanistan conflict. Elena, pregnant at that time, bore a daughter whom she names Margarita. About three years ago Elena and her daughter returned to Russia. She lives with her mother (also a widow) in an apartment in Obninsk. Elena had know her husband since they were teenagers and the loss was devastating for her. However, she has adjusted well and is very thankful to be blessed with her daughter. She began to miss Margarita very much during after a few days in Oak Ridge. Elena took a lot of time to get ready to go anywhere. Russians must not be so enslaved by the clock as Americans are! Lena is proud of her country and the Russian culture. She is especially proud of the many world famous Russian composers, poets and other artists. She was also proud of the contributions Russian engineers made assisting in the development and modernization of former Soviet Union Republics. I sent a kaleidoscope to Lena's daughter Margarita. I wish Lena the best success with her music and future happiness for her and her family.
Jack
and Dora Moneyhun hosting Rudolph Bykov and Anatoli Alexeev Rudolph Bykov, very friendly and talkative Psychiatrist as best I could determine (a
doctor for the mind). His age is early to mid fifties, married with one son.
The son is also married and has a young child, approximately 5 months in age. Rudolph has
been with the Panes Choir for approximately 15 years. As many people in Russia are doing now, both of these gentlemen have vegetable gardens. The gardens are small (approximately 30 to 40 feet square). The land is not theirs but they rent the space each year. Both raise vegetables for the table and to can or preserve, otherwise, for winter use. Bob and Margot Spore hosting
Victor Feofilactov
While at our house, Victor (age 65) fits into our routine very well. He always tries our food (Sorry, no cabbage!) and goes wherever we take him. He is very fond of our dog, Ginger, because she understands his Russian so easily! He has spent many hours walking around Oak Ridge, map in hand.
During this last visit, Victor visited Frozen Head State Park and Oliver Springs Elementary School on the same day. One Sunday we took him for an afternoon walk around downtown Knoxville and he enjoyed seeing the city and its architecture.
We shared a very special event on this trip. It had been 40 days since the death of his mother. In the Russian Orthodox Church, there must be a ceremony on this day, because it is time for the spirit to leave the earth. Since he could not be at his family gathering in Obninsk on this special memorial day, he asked Bob and me to please sit with him and share a vodka toast. We felt very honored to be a pan of this custom. Highlights for us on this trip were hearing his solos at our church, the impromptu birthday singing that went on and on by request at a Knoxville Shoney’s, and of course the night at the symphony. We thank you again, Victor, for coming into our lives and hope to see you in Obninsk sometime soon!
Alease Hibben hosting
Nadezhda Parfyonova and Irina Semenova
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The two "princesses" - Nadezhda Parfyonova
and Irina Semenova
