2009

19:00 Cocktail Hour

20:00 National Anthems

The Russian Federation

The United States of America

20:05 Invocation

V. Rev. Marc Arey, Secretary general, Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America

20:10 Welcome Word

Budd Mishkin, Master of Ceremonies:

On June 9th, once again, we came together to try to bridge two peoples and two powerful nations. Our gathering that night included politicians, business people, journalists and many others. But whatever your position, whatever your station in life, everyone realizes that the relationship between the United States and the Russian Federation remains one of the most important relationships on the global scene. The nature of the relationship remains so compelling, almost as if it were a subject matter for one of those Great Russian novels that are part of Mother Russia’s rich culture. The relationship between our two countries over the last 100 years has moved from competition and conflict to transformation, greater understanding and an evolving partnership.

Tonight we are here with confidence and hope that the leaders of our two nations understand that this relationship is vital and must remain fruitful, peaceful and honest.

We had a large group of industry and business professionals there at Cipriani 42nd Street, along with representatives from the media world, the financial and the legal sectors.

This festive annual international celebration is presented under the auspices of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States and various other organizations, including: the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York, the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, and the New York Office of the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation.

As a result of the night’s turnout, it is clear that the Day of Russia event is establishing its place in New York City.

20:15 Acknowledge Some of Our Distinguished Guests

Honorable George E. Pataki
53rd Governor of the State of New York
His Excellency Vitaly I. Churkin
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations
Her Excellency Susan Rice
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations
His Excellency Andrei Dapkiunas
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations
His Excellency Mr. Yuriy A. Sergeyev
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Ukraine to the United Nations
V. Rev. Marc Arey
Secretary general, Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America
V. Rev. Alexander Abramov
Acting Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA
Representative of the World Russian People's Council to the UN
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, D.D.
President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation,
Senior Rabbi, Park East Synagogue
Honorable Sergey V. Garmonin
Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York
Honorable Mykola M. Kyrychenko
Consul General of Ukraine in New York
Her Excellency Madam Rosemary DiCarlo
Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs of the United States to the United Nations
Honorable Ms. Brooke Anderson
Chief of staff, the United States mission to the United Nations

Since the global transformation of the late 20th Century the United States and Russia have come a long way. The success of the night’s event attests to the tremendous partnership that Russians and Americans now enjoy. On this night we met many of the people who have made significant contributions to the efforts to build partnerships, lasting, fruitful and honest partnerships that will hold in the future.

The pronounced goal of the evening was to honor and promote diplomatic, business and cultural ties between our two countries.

Day of Russia in New York event is here for a fourth year in a row largely because of the vision of many progressive people such as the Founder and Organizer of ‘Day of Russia in NY’, President of Globe PR Group, Inc, Mr. Ioori Smirnov.

20:20 Recognition of Honorees

Two distinguished presenters will now help us honor three equally distinguished honorees.

The Founder of “Day of Russia”, Ioori Smirnov led us in honoring the Honorable Sergei V. Garmonin, Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York with our Award for: Exceptional Leadership in Strengthening Russian – American Relations.

Consul Garmonin’s Acceptance Remarks

V. Rev. Abramov’s Introduction of Gordon Lankton’s Achievements

The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United States, the Very Reverend Alexander Abramov presented our second distinguished honoree, Mr. Gordon B. Lankton, Founding President of the Museum of Russian Icons and Chairman of the Board of Nypro, Inc., with our Award for: Exceptional Vision in Illuminating the Russian Heritage and in Building a Cultural Bridge between the Russian and American People.

Gordon Lankton’s Acceptance Remarks

With the imminent launch and first announcement, the “Days of Russia” Foundation is now a reality. The pivotal role of the Russian and US business communities in ensuring the success of this expansive venture is truly evident. This year’s event, as it unfolds here in the vaulted hall of Cipriani, reflects an unprecedented showing by Russian, American and global leaders of business, the financial and legal sectors, the media and the fine arts. This remarkable achievement, making the “Day of Russia” a one of a kind bilateral Russian-US leadership event worldwide, is in no small part the work of our dynamic transnational Executive Committee and the Committee Co-chairs, Mr. Yuri Kurashvili and Dr. Roger Hanwehr.

International Honorary Chairs

His Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Russian Federation to the United States of America
Dr. Henry Kissinger
Chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc.

International Honorary Committee

Honorable George E. Pataki
53rd Governor of the State of New York
His Excellency Vitaly I. Churkin
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative
of the Russian Federation to the United Nations
Senator Mikhail V. Margelov
Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs
of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Mr. Igor Y. Yurgens
Chairman of the Management Board, Institute of Contemporary Development
Honorable Andrey P. Dolgorukov
Trade Representative of the Russian Federation to the United State of America
His Excellency Andrei Dapkiunas
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative
of the Belarus to the United Nations
Her Excellency Byrganym Aitimova
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative
of the Kazakhstan to the United Nations
Honorable Sergey V. Garmonin
Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York
V. Rev. Alexander Abramov
Acting Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA
Representative of the World Russian People's Council to the UN
Senator Roy M. Goodman
President and Chief Executive Officer
United Nations Development Corporation
Mr. Gordon B. Lankton
Founding President of the Museum of Russian Icons,
Chairman of the Board, NYPRO Inc.
Dr. Andranik M. Migranyan
Director of Institute for Democracy and Cooperation
Dr. Vyacheslav A. Nikonov
President and Chief Executive Officer of Russkiy Mir Foundation
Mr. Anatoly S. Karpov
President, "Polet" Airlines
Mr. Zurab K. Tsereteli
President, Russian Academy of Arts

Executive Co-Chairs

Dr. Roger Hanwehr Managing Partner ArcXeon International, NY
Mr. Yuri Kurashvili President Holding Concord Rusam

Executive Committee

Dr. Cyril Geacintov Chairman of the Board DRG-International
Lawrence Berk CEO and President Baron Group USA
Stanley U. North, III Partner LeClairRyan Law Firm, NY
Jennifer L. North Associate, Investment Banking Goldman Sachs
Yuri Nurt President Toka – WDC / NY
Farouk Shami Chairman of the Board and CEO Farouk Systems, Houston TX
Timofey S. Borodin New York Office of the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation to the USA
Alexander A. Danilov Representative to the United States Vneshekonombank
Yelena Harbick Director, Russian Art Bonhams – NY
Professor Rafis Abazov Harriman Institute - SIPA Columbia University
John Drohan Senior Partner Drohan Lee, NY
Alexey E. Ozerov Vice-President Americas Polet Airlines
Dr. Raphael Douady Principal RiskData – NY, Paris
Olga Henkin Office of the CEO Christie’s – NY
Dmitry Gornostaev New York Bureau Chief RIA-NOVOSTI
Vladimir Kikilo New York Bureau Chief ITAR – TASS
Michael Gutkin Reporter at Voice of America
Natalie Azarov Cinderella Travel Corp/Russian Tours in America
Laura S. Gentile Toka - NY
Iosif Baburashvili President Lincoln International Fund
Veronika Litvinova Russian Media
Marina Andreeva Logos PR Group
Veronika Krasheninnikova Representative in North America, Russkiy Mir Foundation
Violetta Livshen Logos PR Group
Borislav Strulev Musical Director Day of Russia

Transforming the level of contributions and extent of support, the US/Russian business community has represented nothing short of a remarkable achievement this year, a success which we attribute to our two Executive Committee Chairmen and their distinguished membership roster. Representing the United States -- Dr. Roger Hanwehr made keynote remarks on behalf of the Russian and American business leadership for this unique event.

20:30 Concert

What celebration is complete without music? Many dreams may come true as Russians and Americans join around these tables to celebrate through the art of great music!

Soprano Solo with Piano Accompaniment

Our classical concert interlude begins with a stunning rendition of the haunting aria ‘Vissi d’arte’ from Puccini’s Tosca, sung by one of Russia’s great vocal artists, Metropolitan Opera Soprano Irina Rindzuner, as accompanied by the daunting keyboard versatility of renowned pianist Inna Leytush.

Irina Rindzuner, Soprano
Inna Leytush, Piano
Vissi d'arte ( Tosca by Puccini), Spring Waters (Rachmaninov)

Cello Solo with Piano Accompaniment

A treat awaits us. French composer Massnet’s Meditation from his Opera ‘Thais’ and a rousing polka by Schnittke-Drezin will be performed by “Day of Russia in NY’s” Music Director – a celebrated international Russian and French recording star and winner of many international competitions, who is performing this evening on a masterpiece cello attributed to the 18th Century Florentine master, Luigi Piattellini. He is joined by Yamaha Artist Klara Min, winner of the Viotti-Valesia International Competition.

Borislav Strulev, cello
Klara Min, piano
Meditation from the Opera Thais (J. Massnet), Polka (Schnittke-Drezin)

Violin Solo with Piano Accompaniment

Our magical music interlude continues with the riveting Carmen Fantasy, attributed to Spanish composing legend Pablo de Sarasate, and performed this evening by the dramatic pairing of the Emmy-award winning laureate of the International Paganini Competition – violinist Dmitri Berlinsky – joined by the internationally-acclaimed piano virtuoso and Juillard graduate, Elena Baksht.

Dmitri Berlinsky, Violin
Elena Baksht, Piano
The Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25, (by Pablo de Sarasate)

Baritone Solo with Piano Accompaniment

Next on tonight’s star-studded program, pianist Inna Leytush returns to our stage to join NY City Opera and Stuttgart Statsoper’s operatic star, Baritone Adrian Gans in a well-known aria from Bizet’s legendary opera about tragically-passionate infidelity, a tale woven in the French composer’s immortal work, Carmen. Ladies and gentlemen, the universal musical idiom of an unfathomable musical statement, the Torreador Song !

Adrian Gans, Baritone
Inna Leytush, Piano
Toreador Song (Carmen by Bizet)

Operatic Duet (Soprano & Baritone) with Piano Accompaniment

Eugene Onegin is a signature stage work of Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In an ethereal duet from this timeless operatic masterpiece, Soprano Irina Rindzuner, Baritone Adrian Gans and Pianist Inna Leytush take us back into the imperial world of old Russia, as we experience a stunning ‘Moment in Time’.

Irina Rindzuner, soprano
Adrian Gans, baritone
Inna Leytush, Piano
Duet from Eugene Onegin by P. Tchaikovsky

Piano Solo

– ‘As many of you know, I come from the world of television broadcasting, where the concept of ‘breaking news’ and improvisation for an television anchor is a requisite skill. So, we could not leave you tonight without inserting that element of surprise into the program. Twenty-five years ago, a piano virtuoso left the international stage to become a surgeon and national lab scientist, then a high-level government official and ultimately here in NY, a financial industry professional and internationally-recognized television commentator. Since he is a fellow TV professional, we decided to depart from our script and throw him a curve.’– Budd Mishkin

Roger thought that serving as Chairman of our Executive Committee and giving a speech would be sufficient. Well, at “Day of Russia” it is not. He has no choice but to return to the stage tonight. Dr. Roger Hanwehr is welcomed back to the stage and the piano keyboard as he interprets the magical and incredibly complex tone poem by Hungarian composer Franz Lizt, the Sonetto del Petrarca from the Annes de Pelerinage and the shores of the unforgettable Lago Maggiore in the Italian Swiss Alps, where this unforgettable 19th Century musical work about eternal love was composed.

Dr. Roger Hanwehr, pianoforte
Sonetto del Petrarca 104 (Annes de Pelerinage) by Franz Liszt

21:10 Dinner

22:00 Entertainment to Dance Away the Night

We depart from the land of the classical repertoire and great opera arias to the mystery of authentic yet contemporary gypsy tunes … triggering many a dream as we will soon dance our hearts away in the night.

To take us on our magical carpet of ecstasy, here is the Vasily Romany Gypsy Trio, followed – from Moscow – by the Ivanov Brothers with Boris Strulev on the Cello, and then to take us into the passion of the dance, we welcome the International Stars Band to wrap up this memorable event.

Day of Russia in New York