First Annual "Tatiana Ball" at the Russian Embassy

Tatiana Day is a Russian religious holiday named after Saint Tatiana, a Christian martyr. After the Empress Elizabeth of Russia, daughter of Peter the Great, signed a decree establishing a University in Moscow, Tatiana Day has become birth date of the first Russian University and later turned into a festivity for all students. Nowadays January 25th is one of the favorite holidays of the Russian youth as it is considered the end of winter exams session followed by a two-week winter break.

This day was marked by a youth ball at the Embassy of Russia to the US under the name “First Annual Tatiana Ball”. It was held in memory of the late Princess Selene Obolensky who had the idea of organizing such an event. An active role in putting together the charity ball belonged to the Orthodox youth from Washington DC area. Funds raised will be transferred to St. John Benevolent Fund for Russian Children in need.

“Tatiana Ball” gathered around 300 guests including students from American colleges, church people and Embassy friends. Dinner was followed by an opening speech of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the US Sergey Kislyak who expressed his commitment to make this event on an annual basis inviting more young people to support and participate. The music part of the evening belonged to a young talented soprano Olga Orlovskaya who left no one indifferent. Then several couples of professionals started dancing Pahmutova’s “Russian Waltz” inviting guests to join them.

The pace of the ball gradually increased and shortly attendees were dancing modern rhythms. “First annual Tatiana Ball” ended up with Russian club music which gladly surprised the public and according to different sources made this event “one of the most beautiful evenings at the Embassy in the last couple of years”.