2011
February
Members of the Moscow Committee met with Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate to discuss plans for developing a American and Russian cultural year 2012 and the role that Chicago will play in developing programs and exchanges with Moscow, given the important connections between our cities as sister cities.
The meeting was attended by Bob Langlois, chair of CSCI Moscow committee; Aleksandra Efimova, co-chair; Ieva Dilyte, CSCI International program manager, liaison for Moscow committee; Khaled Elkhatib, Deputy director, Mayor’s Office of International Relations; Debbie Chanel, Executive Manager of Russian Pointe boutique.
October 19
The Adler Planetarium and Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted an afternoon panel discussion with cosmonauts Boris Volynov and Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu. Volynov and Prunariu where they discussed the significance of Gagarin’s world changing flight, and their personal experiences and mission accomplishments as part of the international space program. Participants were also able to view the bronze bust of Yuri Gagarin, a gift to Chicago from its sister city Moscow. The bust will be on display at the Adler alongside Alan B. Shepard’s jet flight suit and helmet, on loan from the personal collection of the Alan B. Shepard Family.
2010
April
Moscow Committee and Russian Foundation hosted a welcome reception in honor of the visiting vice mayor of Moscow, Vladimir Platonov, and the delegation of Moscow Duma members and city officials. Apart from participating in the Global Cities Forum, the group also had several meetings with the City Departments and local companies.
April
A group of students and staff from St. Gregory the Great High School, located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago spent a spring break in Russia. While in Russia, the group visited several high schools and universities to study the similarities and differences between American and Russian education, visited culturally and historically significant landmarks, and learned firsthand the value of cross-cultural exchange as they lived with host families.
July
A group of five students and a teacher from Noble Street College Prep traveled to Moscow to attend the Russian Language Summer School from July 5-28, 2010. This language immersion opportunity was made possible by the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
2009
April
Focus: Government
The First Deputy Mayor of Moscow, the Honorable Vladimir Resin, attended the Chicago Global Cities Forum. The Moscow Committee hosted dinner and cultural tours for the Deputy Mayor and his accompanying delegation of Business leaders from Moscow.
May 14
Focus: Government
The members of the Moscow Committee participated in leadership breakfast held by the Chicago Executive's Club titled "U.S. and Russia: Prospects for Cooperation” with the guest speaker H.E. Ambassador of Russia to the United States Sergey I. Kislyak.
June
Focus: Culture
Member of the Committee, Aleksandra Efimova represented Moscow at the opening flag ceremony of the International Sister Cities Festival at Daley Plaza and gave a presentation on Russian cuisine in collaboration with Kendall College cooking demonstrations.
July
Focus: Culture
A group of Committee members traveled to Moscow and held several networking meetings aiming to further advance Chicago – Moscow exchanges.
September 17
Focus: Art
The Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International explored the 1970's and the 1980;s eras of architectural history. They made comparisons of Communist and Capitalist approaches to post modern design. These changes were documented by photographer Frederic Chaubin who spoke and displayed his works for thee event.
October 1-4
Focus: Medical
Dr. David Naskhletashvili, MD PhD, from the Russian N.N Blokhin Cancer Research Center participated in the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium – Sister Cities Medical Initiative.
November 18-21
Focus: Government
His Excellency Ivan Materov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade
Focus: Government
Moscow School of Political Studies Young Leaders
2008
April
Focus: Government
The delegation from Moscow, headed by Mr. Vladamir Platanov, Chairman of the Moscow City Council and Ambassador Georgy L. Muradov, Head of Moscow City Department for Foreign Trade and International Relations attended 2008 Richard J. Daley Urban Forum.
July 7-28
Focus: Culture
Moscow Committee Member Marina Kalinina conductedt a Gospel Summer School at the Moscow College of Improvised Music, featuring Chicago Jazz and Gospel singer, Tecora Rogers. The goal of the program is to bring Chicago Gospel culture to Russia and in the future to bring guest artists from Moscow to Chicago.
September
Focus: Arts
The Moscow Committe, in conjunction with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, promoted the exhibition, “CCCP: Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed”. The Committee will jointly host a lecture/discussion on Architecture During the Cold War: Chicago and the USSR.
September 17
Focus: Arts
The Moscow Committee hosts a reception and lecture for "Avant-garde Approaches in Architecture 1965-1985."
Focus: Architecture
The Chicago Architecture Foundation and Moscow Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program explored the 70's and 80's era of architecture history, making comparisons of Communist and Capitalist innovative approached to early post modern design.
September 28
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, cosponsored by the Moscow Committee, hosted the Honorable William J. Burns, United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation, for a luncheon lecture. The lecture examined the past relationships and looked for future opportunities the United States and Russia have in working together to address global challenges.
October 30
The Moscow Committee launched a Russian Business Forum series of speakers and panels focusing on specific industries in Russia. The first panel discussion, "Real Estate Development and Investing in Russia," included the panelists: Arthur George, baker & McKenzie; Robert A. Havorson and Partners; Fritz Kaegi, Columbia Wagner Asset Management; Patrick T. King, Chicago Design Ltd., Moscow.
December 5
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs presented His Excellency
Yegor Gaidar, economist, former acting prime minister of Russia, and director of the Institute for Economy in Transition, Moscow.
2007
September 28
Focus: Government
The Moscow Committee cosponsored a lecture, “200 Years of U.S.-Russian Relations and the Road Ahead,” by the Honorable William J. Burns, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation. This luncheon event was organized by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and was held at the Chicago Hilton.
October 8-13
Focus: Government
The Committee assisted with the visit of a 9-person delegation from Moscow City government who were in Chicago to attend the International Women’s Forum. The head of the delegation, First Deputy Mayor Ludmila Shvetsova spoke with Mayor Daley about possible education initiatives between the two cities.
October 30
Focus: Economic Development
The Committee launched a “Russian Business Forum” series of panels focusing on specific industries in Russia, with an emphasis on providing networking opportunities. The first panel discussion “Real Estate Development and Investing in Russia” was sponsored by Baker & McKenzie; approximately 25 people participated. Speakers included Arthur George, Baker & McKenzie; Robert A. Halvorson, Halvorson and Partners; Fritz Kaegi, Columbia Wanger Asset Management and Patrick T. King, Chicago Design Ltd., Moscow.
2006
April 3-6
Government
The visit of Kemer Norkin, representative from Mayor Luzhkov’s office to participate in the 2006 The Second Annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum - Globalizing Cities: Chicago and the World. In addition to Mr. Norkin’s participation in the forum, he had meetings with Chicago Technology Park, the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Moscow Committee.
May 10-14
General
A small delegation representing the Moscow Committee traveled to Moscow to renew contacts with their counterparts in the fields of government, health, education, culture and economic development. Following the appointment of Bob Langlois as the new Chair of the Moscow Committee in fall 2005, this was an initial step in reestablishing the relationship between both cities.
2003
February 28
Culture
Working in collaboration with the UIC Theater, the Moscow Committee assisted with the visit of the Shadow Theater of Moscow to perform their original work Metamorphosis. Following the opening performance, a reception with the cast was held.
March 19
Culture
The Moscow Committee held a benefit reception immediately following the Eifman Ballet’s performance of Who’s Who at the Auditorium Theater. Boris Eifman and members of the company attended at the reception and Russian Tea Time provided entertainment and food.
2002
September 1
Sports
Chicago runners Monica O'Hara and Jerry Vondruska participated in the Moscow Marathon as part of the Moscow Committee's Marathon Exchange Program.
2001
Culture
The Moscow Committee held an opening for the Kandinsky Exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Education
The Moscow Committee hosted educational administrators from Chicago’s Sister Schools in Moscow.
Culture
The Chicago Days Festival in Moscow was comprised of a photo exhibition on Chicago's cultural and commercial history, a medical exchange, theatrical and musical performances, children’s programs, including a twinning of orphanages in Chicago and Moscow, and economic development and tourism initiatives.
Culture
The Moscow Committee hosted a reception for the Moscow Theater Southwest performance at UIC Theater. UIC Theater performed at Moscow Theater Southwest in May as part of the “Chicago Days” festival.
Education
A group of teachers from Moscow spent 10 days visiting their Sister Schools in Chicago.
2000
Culture
The Moscow Committee hosted a reception at a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet.
1999
Culture
The program, “Generations United: Russian Avant Garde Poetry,” was held at the Chicago Cultural Center in conjunction with Northwestern University. Legendary Russian poet Andrei Voznesensky and Professor Ilya Kutik from Northwestern University united for a historic recital of their original works entitled Generations United, representing two generations of Russian literary art. For the first time in the United States, Voznesensky publicly aired a historic recording of a 1963 meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party discussing questions of culture with leading cultural figures. The recording included a speech given by Voznesensky, in which he stated that he was proud to say that he was not a member of the Communist Party.
Environment
The Andreyev Acoustics Institute in Moscow worked with the City of Chicago Department of Environment and UIC Great Cities Institute on a Great Lakes Contaminant Transport Monitoring project.
Culture
The Committee held its first fundraiser at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Center for the Shostakovich Festival. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, attended the fundraiser, which consisted of dinner in Grainger ballroom, concert and post concert champagne reception with Mstislav Rostropovich. June 3 was proclaimed “Rostropovich Day in Chicago” by Mayor Daley.
1998
Medical & Social Service
The Moscow Committee hosted a party for Russian foster children.
Medical & Social Service
The Moscow Committee hosted a Russian sociologist, an Eisenhower Exchange Fellow.
Economic Development
The Russian Ambassador to the United States visited Chicago for the 6th annual U.S-Russian Business Council meeting.
Culture
The Russian National Orchestra performed at Orchestra Hall at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Culture
A World in a Weekend featured Moscow.
1997
Signing
Mayor Yuri Luzhkov formalized a Sister Cities agreement between Moscow and Chicago with Mayor Richard M. Daley.
