The idea for this particular project was born out of an event that Slavic Community Center sponsored in 2005 called Victory
Day. Over 100 Slavic veterans attended and received medals from the Russian government in honor of their service in the
War from 1939-1945. It is inherent in our function as a community center to take on projects such as this, that strengthen the
community and promote our history and culture. We want to chronicle the experiences of the five main groups of Russian
people during the war (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and World War II internationally): those who fought
on the front line, occupied territory as underground resistance groups, lived in concentration camps and through the siege on
Leningrad, as well as those who migrated into the furthest depths of Russia. The cultural significance of these stories that led
to the eventual Russian victory over the Nazis is inestimable.
With the assistance of a part-time temporary employee hired through a small grant from HECUA (Higher Education
Consortium for Urban Affairs), in June and July of 2006, we recorded in digital video format the recollections of 21 members
of the Russian-Speaking Veterans Organization. These reminiscences, after being edited, provide the basis for a book,
intended for a wide range of readers--not only for those who are native speakers of Russian, but also for Americans who are
studying Russian. The initial 21 interviews have been transcribed and published in a limited Russian edition of 200 publications.
The initial Russian language printed materials are envisioned as a product for free distribution to the members of our
community who participated during the Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Eastern Europe, and to their families. At least a
portion of the funds of production for the bilingual and audiovisual materials will be recouped through sale of materials and
voluntary donations from individuals in the community. However, initial publication and development costs must be defrayed
through charitable contributions to SCC.
This project is important as a method to unite our community through sharing our history, but it is valuable to anyone
interested in either the Russian language or the Slavic experience of World War II given the historical significance of the
battles.
Day. Over 100 Slavic veterans attended and received medals from the Russian government in honor of their service in the
War from 1939-1945. It is inherent in our function as a community center to take on projects such as this, that strengthen the
community and promote our history and culture. We want to chronicle the experiences of the five main groups of Russian
people during the war (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and World War II internationally): those who fought
on the front line, occupied territory as underground resistance groups, lived in concentration camps and through the siege on
Leningrad, as well as those who migrated into the furthest depths of Russia. The cultural significance of these stories that led
to the eventual Russian victory over the Nazis is inestimable.
With the assistance of a part-time temporary employee hired through a small grant from HECUA (Higher Education
Consortium for Urban Affairs), in June and July of 2006, we recorded in digital video format the recollections of 21 members
of the Russian-Speaking Veterans Organization. These reminiscences, after being edited, provide the basis for a book,
intended for a wide range of readers--not only for those who are native speakers of Russian, but also for Americans who are
studying Russian. The initial 21 interviews have been transcribed and published in a limited Russian edition of 200 publications.
The initial Russian language printed materials are envisioned as a product for free distribution to the members of our
community who participated during the Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Eastern Europe, and to their families. At least a
portion of the funds of production for the bilingual and audiovisual materials will be recouped through sale of materials and
voluntary donations from individuals in the community. However, initial publication and development costs must be defrayed
through charitable contributions to SCC.
This project is important as a method to unite our community through sharing our history, but it is valuable to anyone
interested in either the Russian language or the Slavic experience of World War II given the historical significance of the
battles.
Oral History
Slavic Community Center
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