Part of the 65th anniversary of Pushkin House programme: Ann and Michael Pasternak Slater, two of the grandchildren of the painter Leonid Pasternak, will give illustrated talks about aspects of his life and work. Leonid (1862-1945), father of Boris Pasternak, came to England in 1939, bringing with him many of the paintings, drawings and sketches he had created throughout his career. An exhibition of Leonid Pasternak’s paintings was one of the earliest exhibitions at Pushkin House, and his work will feature in the upcoming exhibition. He spent the last 6 years of his life in the house in Oxford where Michael and Ann grew up.

In English

Part of the 65th anniversary of Pushkin House programme: Two Russian-British composers, Gabriel Prokofiev and Lydia Kavina, as well as the pianist Thomas Ang, are presenting a program of music for theremin and electronics. The theremin, invented in 1919, started the era of electronic music, which made a dramatic development through the century. This unique music instrument, controlled without a physical touch, is still one of the most intriguing music phenomenon.

Part of the 65th anniversary of Pushkin House programme: This is one of the many questions that visitors to Pushkin House ask. In this Panel discussion making up part of events marking the 65th anniversary of Pushkin House, three people who have been involved with Pushkin House at critical times in its history, give behind the scenes insights into life in a Russian cultural centre in the middle of London, from its inception in 1954 to the present day. Irina Kirillova, Secretary of Pushkin House in its early years and Simon Franklin, Professor of Slavonic Studies at the University of Cambridge, who was Chair of Pushkin House at a crucial time when it moved from Notting Hill to Bloomsbury Square will be joined by the present Director, Clem Cecil.

In English

Join us for a talk with author of Imagining Nabokov and The Lost Khrushchev, Professor of International Affairs at New School University, and great-granddaughter of Former Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev, Nina Khrushcheva. She will talk about her new book In Putin’s Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia’s Eleven Time Zones which follows the authors as they travel across Russia’s eleven time zones and examine how a town in each time zone is defined by certain factors – politics, natural resources, educational institutions, society, ethnic and religious diversity, and strategic geographic assets – to create a portrait of Russia.

In English.

Freedom. Fatherland. Mother Tongue - a film by Khava Khazbieva - celebrates the life and legacy of Ingushetia's remarkable poet and artist, Ali Khashagulgov. It is a compelling work of deep sincerity and lyricism - essential viewing for anyone interested in the history and culture of the North Caucasus.

In Russian and Ingush, with English subtitles