Today in Samara, and Tomorrow at a Ball in Bangkok

On March 6, in Bangkok, the First Pushkin Ball was held in the conference hall of the Royal Thai Navy. Maria Klevina, Director of the Centre for International Short-Term Educational Programs, became its participant.

Maria was invited to the ball by Sivakorn Vilayvong, the ambassador, a participant in the international schools held by Samara University in 2019, 2020, and a graduate of the Institute of Economics and Management.

The atmosphere of the Russian Empire of the 19th century was recreated at the ball. The event was organized by Ekaterina Alekseeva, Artistic Director of the Katyusha Ensemble in Thailand. She noted that the idea of organizing such a ball was suggested by her son Nicholas, a 2nd-year student at MGIMO, who himself took part in a similar event in Russia.

Thai cadets and pupils of the Katyusha Russian Folk Dance Ensemble performed such classical ballroom dances as polonaise, mazurka, polka, waltz and pas-de-grace. The ball was held to the live accompaniment of the Thai Navy brass band. Famous Russian pianist Ivan Sharapov performed a medley of jazz compositions written by King Rama IX of Thailand (1927-2016), as well as the popular Soviet song "Moscow Nights". And the vocal part was beautified with performances by opera singers Alla Dubnovitskaya and Ekaterina Fomenko, the latter flew from China specifically for this event.

The event was attended by many distinguished guests, including Russian Ambassador to Thailand Evgeny Yurievich Tomikhin. He and his wife were the opening couple of the party.

The ball was held in framework of expanding Russian – Thai cooperation.

The Centre for International Short-Term Educational Programs thanks Sivakorn for the opportunity, as well as the organizers of the ball – for the memorable and vibrant event!