May 2011

Festive Evening in Washington to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Restoration of Georgian Independence

Posted by Susanna at 9:28 PM, May 25, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

H.E. Ambassador Temuri Yakobashvili of Georgia and guests

A FESTIVE celebration - "Portrait of Georgia" -- was held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Georgian independence on Tuesday evening, May 24, 2011.

THE BEAUTIFUL event in the courtyard atrium of the National Portrait Gallery featured fabulous performances of the National Ballet Company Sukhishvili, the world renowned vocalist Sopo Nijaradze, a portrait exhibit - Georgia at the Crossroad of Modernity, Supra - and a delicious buffet of Georgian specialties and wines.

Tati Pastukhova and Sandro Kereselidze, Founder and President of Art Soiree Co (www.theartsoiree.com).

AMONG THE  many guests at this celebration were H.E. Ambassador of Georgia and Mrs. Temuri Yakobashvili; Martin Sullivan, Director of The National Portrait Gallery; and Elizabeth Braun, Director of The Smithsonian American Art Museum.

ADDITIONALLY, guests could watch vibrant and colorful Georgian pieces of artwork, that were exhibited throughout the venue

Elena Postnikova and Theo Adamstein

Gia Kereselidze, Natalia Mashaeva, Alexander V. Kariman and Katya Forbes

The Buffet table with delicious Georgian specialties

H.E. Ambassador Temuri Yakobashvili of Georgia speaks to guests.

The 20th anniversary celebration of the restoration of Georgian independence in Washington, D.C.

The 20th anniversary celebration of the restoration of Georgian independence in Washington, D.C.

The 20th anniversary celebration of the restoration of Georgian independence in Washington, D.C.

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'Music Doc after Dark' performance at House of Sweden in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 10:53 AM, May 25, 2011 (Comments)

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Press Counselor Eva Bergqvist at the Embassy of Sweden, Mattias Carlsten and Carlotta Kuylenstierna

MUSIC DOC'S fifth anniversary after dark celebration, with performances at House of Sweden on Saturday evening, May 21, featured an eclectic mix of live music and performance by Miguel Azcue & Prylf, film screenings, DJ's Music Doc Crew/Rooftop Lounge, and music videos among other things.

THE EMBASSY of Sweden hosted the event in partnership with the Music Doc Team from Sweden and New York.

"Music Doc after Dark" at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

"Music Doc after Dark" at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

"Music Doc after Dark" at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

"Music Doc after Dark" at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.

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'Artists of the Washington Glass School' exhibition opens at Long View Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 4:39 PM, May 23, 2011 (Comments)

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Siobhan Gavagan of Long View Gallery and artist Tim Tate of the Washington Glass School

THE EXHIBITION, "Artists of the Washington Glass School - The First Ten Years," opened Thursday evening, May 19, at Long View Gallery in Washington, D.C. The exhibition shows work by artists who have studied and taught at the Washington Glass School over the past ten years.

Artist Sondra Arkin and Christina Waddler

THE WASHINGTON, D.C. area has become international renowned as an emerging center of glass art, and in the forefront of the change is the Washington Glass School, where instructors, artists and students have dragged it away from decorative craft and into the rarified atmosphere of "fine art." The school has produced artists whose art can be found in museums and collections worldwide.

Featured artists in the exhibition include Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, Elizabeth Mears, Robert Kincheloe, Syl Mathis, Lea Topping, Allison Sigethy, Dave D'Orio, Kirk Waldroff, Robert Wiener and others.

"Artists of the Washington Glass School" exhibition at Long View Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The exhibition runs through June 19, 2011. Long View Gallery is located at 1234 9th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., tel. 202-232-4788. For more information: www.longviewgallery.com.

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Reception for artists at Zenith Gallery attracts big crowd at Chevy Chase Pavilion in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 10:09 AM, May 19, 2011 (Comments)

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Margery Goldberg of Zenith Gallery and artist Rosetta DeBerardinis

A WELL-VISITED "Meet the Artists Reception" was held at Zenith Gallery in Chevy Chase Pavilion in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, May 18. The show ZARTiculation commemorates Zenith's 33rd year in business in the nation's capital. The gallery presents its trademark mix of artworks by more than 40 artists, many who have been with the gallery since its early beginning.

ZARTiculation, which opened April 3, is on display throughout Chevy Chase Pavilion until July 3. For more information: www.zenithgallery.com.

Artwork at Zenith Gallery

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Forestry expert Lars Laestadius discussed furniture and forest ecology at SACU luncheon in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 4:24 PM, May 18, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Lars Laestadius led the international consortium of Global Forest Watch that located and mapped the world's remaining intact forest landscapes.

SWEDISH FORESTRY expert Lars Laestadius, who is a Senior Associate at the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C., was the lunch speaker at a Swedish-American Cultural Union (SACU) luncheon on Wednesday, May 18. His topic was "Furniture and Forest Ecology: Making the Map that Helps IKEA Preserve Virgin Forests around the World."

LARS LAESTADIUS led the international consortium of Global Forest Watch that located and mapped the world's remaining intact forest landscapes. He discussed the forests of Russia and China, and told the audience the inside story of the campaigns that triggered the mapping. He explained how the map was made, and how the Swedish home furnishings store IKEA and others are using it in an effort to use wood in ways that do not damage irreplaceable wild woodlands around the globe.

Lars Laestadius discusses forest ecology with guests.

LARS Laestadius started the lecture with a colorful and humoristic introduction of the Swedish Skogshögskolan, founded in 1828, with its rich history and traditions, and where he was educated as a forester (jägmästare in Swedish). In 1977 Skogshögskolan became part of Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU), and is located in Umeå, in the northern part of Sweden. Additionally, Mr. Laestadius holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).

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Arts for the Aging (AFTA) tennis tournament reception hosted by Swedish ambassador and his wife

Posted by Susanna at 12:17 PM, May 17, 2011 (Comments)

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Eva Hafström, wife of Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström; Janine Tursini, Executive Director of AFTA; and Chris Warnke.

TRADITIONALLY EVERY May the nonprofit organization AFTA (Arts for the Aging, Inc.) (www.aftaarts.org), founded by Lolo Sarnoff, in Washington holds its tennis tournament with individual games played at private courts throughout the Washington, D.C. area and with semi-finals and finals, together with exhibition games, played at the Swedish Ambassador residence's tennis court on Nebraska Avenue in Northwest Washington.

THIS YEAR unfortunately, the rainy weather on Sunday, May 15, didn't permit the traditional morning competition to many players' disappointment. However, they were able to enjoy the exhibition game in the late afternoon. Afterwards, when another of the day's thunderstorms and heavy rain swept through the area -- Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström and his wife Eva were hosts at a delightful and delicious buffet reception.

Monique Summers-Mally, Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström and Gerhard Mally

Dominic and Gunilla Ramella

Executive Director of AFTA Janine Tursini, Leavy Mathews and Susan Rosenbaum

Monique Summers-Mally and Neshan Naltchayan

Rachel Moncure, Nancy Bliss, Rhoda Septilici and Jay Kaplan

Monique Summers-Mally, Liliana Pulvirenti and Lilly Papaioannou

Exhibition game at the Swedish residence's tennis court

Tennis tournament guests

Mark Ein of Venture House Capital, who participated in the exhibition game, during the awards ceremony.

Dorian MacGrath speaks during the awards ceremony.

Eva Hafström picks the winning numbers during the traditional lottery.

The buffet table in the residence dining room

The embassy garden

The Swedish Ambassador's residence in northwest Washington, D.C.

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Pictures from Prague

Posted by Susanna at 10:17 AM, May 17, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Travel

Staré Mĕsto - Old Town in Prague

Art-Nouveau architecture in Prague

Skoda Car Museum in Mladá Boleslav, located about 55 kilometers northeast of Prague.

A Cuban club in Prague

Prague - Ruzyne International Airport

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The Swedish School for Language and Culture in Vienna, Virginia, held an early Midsummer celebration on Saturday

Posted by Susanna at 8:13 AM, May 16, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

The midsummer procession

A TRADITIONAL Swedish Midsummer celebration was held at The Swedish School for Language and Culture (www.swedishlanguageschool.com) in Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday morning, May 14.

SWEDISH MIDSUMMER is one of the biggest if not the biggest holiday of the year for Swedes. It is observed during the time around the summer solstice, and takes place on a day between June 21 through June 24, and the preceding evening - "Midsummer eve." The exact date varies from year to year.

IN SWEDEN, people dressed in their national costumes and garland, made of flowers and leaves, put up a midsummer pole also of flowers and plants, which they dance around. In Vienna, students, teachers and parents danced to familiar Swedish songs, such as "Prästens lilla kråka," "Små grodorna, små grodorna" and "Räven raskar över isen."

Lena Unander-Scharin, who together with Carina Olsson, founded The Swedish School for Language and Culture in Vienna, Virginia.

Midsummer celebration at The Swedish School for Language and Culture in Vienna, Virginia

The midsummer procession

Midsummer celebration

Midsummer celebration

The midsummer pole
 

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SACC-USA holds House Warming Party at House of Sweden in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 10:14 PM, May 14, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Johan M. Westberg, President of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Colorado, Inc., and Therese Lindé, Executive Director of SACC-USA

TO CELEBRATE its new location at the House of Sweden in Washington, SACC-USA (www.sacc-usa.org) -- the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce -- held a House Warming Party on Friday evening, May 13. Guests could enjoy a delicious buffet and the beautiful view of the Potomac River from the balconies of House of Sweden. The events host was Therese Lindé, new Executive Director of SACC-USA. Among the many guests were Gabriella Augustsson, Press and Communications Counselor at the Embassy of Sweden; Bradley J. Olson, Chairman of SACC-DC; Dr. Kamilla Kohn Rådberg, Science Counselor at the Embassy of Sweden; Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet's US Correspondent Karin Henriksson; and Yvonne Thunell of Mentor International. SACC-USA's previous headquarters was located in Alexandria, Va. 

Alan N. Schlaifer and Cecilia Browning, General Manager at House of Sweden

Carlotta Kuylenstierna and Sara Dahlén

Johan M. Westberg, Therese Lindé and Alan N. Schlaifer

SACC-USA's House Warming Party on Friday evening

View from the balconies of House of Sweden

View from the balconies of House of Sweden

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Photographer Paul Gallegos shows his work at L2 Lounge in Georgetown

Posted by Susanna at 10:54 AM, May 13, 2011 (Comments)

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Photographer Paul Gallegos and Fernando Batista, W.A.V.E.

ON THURSDAY evening, May 12, L2 Lounge in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. hosted Fernando Batista's W.A.V.E. (World Art/Versed Exhibits) featuring an exhibition of photographer Paul Gallegos' work, titled "Visions of Paradise." Gallegos loves water, and he draws inspiration from years of surfing and from images captured through travels and through friends in the fashion world.

Joana Ballinger, Fernando Batista and Leah Dyrud

Photography by Paul Gallegos

L2 Lounge

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Concert with cellist Swedish cellist Kristina Winiarski at House of Sweden in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 4:30 PM, May 10, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Cellist Kristina Winiarski (in the middle), surrounded by Mark M. Michalski and Judy Michalski

A CONCERT with 16-year old Swedish cellist Kristina Winiarski was held at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening, May 9. Ms. Winiarski was accompanied by pianist Brad Clark. The program consisted of work by Johannes Brahms - Sonata for cello and piano in E minor: I "Allegro non troppo," Claude Debussy - Sonata for cello and piano in D minor: I Prologue: Lent, sostenuto e molto risoluto, II Sérénade: Modérément animé, III Final: Animé, léger et nerveuw, and finally Astor Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango for cello and piano.

After the performance in Alfred Nobel Hall

Guests talk to the cellist Kristina Winiarski.

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'A tribute to an even land!' - a charity concert for people in need - with The Swedish Song Group

Posted by Susanna at 3:13 PM, May 9, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

THE SWEDISH SONG GROUP - with music from the region of of Jämtland in Sweden -- will be guests at a charity concert for people in need on Sunday, May 22, 4-5:30 p.m. at First Trinity Lutheran Church on 501 Fourth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. The title of the program is "A Tribute to an Even Land!" Food cans will be collected at the entrance, and monetary contributions will also be accepted. The event is supported by Vasa Order of America, Drott Lodge.

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Opening of the Art Exhibition 'Light Works' by Stefan Lindfors at the Embassy of Finland in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 5:04 PM, May 7, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Anita Honkanen, artist Stefan Lindfors and Eve Hennessa

THE AMBASSADOR of Finland Pekka Lintu and his wife Mrs. Laurel Colless were the hosts of an opening reception for the exhibition of "Light Works" by artist Stefan Lindfors (www.stefanlindfors.com) at the elegant Finnish chancery on Massachusetts Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C. on Friday evening, May 6.

Vanessa Mendoza, David Bonck, Philippa Hughes of the Pink Line Project, and Cynthia Connolly

MR. LINDFORS says "Light Works" "represents a body of work by myself both as a sculptor and a designer; abstract stories beyond industrial reasoning on the one hand, latest eco-light technology and user-friendly design on the other. Some pieces bear resemblance to earlier projects as when one or two of the works come as a complete surprise at least to myself. At any rate, these 15 new pieces are an example of work where form follows concept and light follows function."

Rhoda Septilici, Elliot Epstein and Mary Bird

STEFAN LINDFORS graduated as an Interior Architect & Furniture Designer from the University of Art and Design, in Helsinki (UIAH), Finland in 1988. In 1992 the Finnish designer received the Väinö Tanner Trailblazer Award, the largest cultural award in the Nordic countries in the 20th century.

Christina Sevilla and Tom Toles

IN 2001 the New York Times declared Lindfors' sculpture installation on the façade of the Gershwin Hotel a new landmark on Manhattan. In 2002 he wrote and directed his first short film, and two years later he was honored with the London Kerrang! "Best Music Video 2004 Award" for his film "Funeral of Hearts" by the Finnish rock band HIM.

Ayodamola Okunseide, soprano Meri Siirala and Steven Brodd

TODAY Stefan Lindfors works in the area of design, art, architecture and film, taking on a wide range of projects all over the world. His most recent commissions as a sculptor include the large-scale permanent sculpture "Star Gate Dance" for the Docrates Cancer Hospital in Helsinki and the terrace of the restaurant "Kosmos III" in the Helsinki city center. In December 2010 Lindfors received the Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award for his furniture design "Matilda."

Ambassador Pekka Lintu of Finland introduces artist Stefan Lindfors.

Artist Stefan Lindfors discusses his art.

Artwork by Stefan Lindfors

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Paintings by artist Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi

Posted by Susanna at 11:21 AM, May 6, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

BELGIUM-BORN painter Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi (www.stephanelefebvre.org) is artistically inspired by Peru's extraordinary culture. Currently his art is being exhibited - "Peru: Idealismo y Costumbrismo" -- at the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C.

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Exhibit 'Peru: Idealismo y Costumbrismo' featuring art by Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi opens at Embassy of Peru in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 5:41 AM, May 5, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

Cultural Attaché Blanca Ochoa, Embassy of Peru, and artist Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi

"PERU: IDEALISMO y Costumbrismo" - an exhibit of art by Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi opened at the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday evening, May 3.

STEPHANE Lefebvre De Bernardi (www.stephanelefebvre.org) is a painter-traveler, who was born in Belgium and is artistically inspired by Peru's extraordinary rich culture. His paintings have been exhibited at galleries in Asunción, Paraguay; New York City; and Leuven and Brussels, Belgium, where he currently resides.

THE ARTIST'S intense passion and feeling for the Peruvian people, the country's history and folklore enhance his art and infuse progressively a personal perspective that translates into oil and watercolors depicting various facets of Peru in a figurative, yet realistic, Custombrismo style.

Artist Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi

Luís Chang Boldrini, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Peru and Fernando Quirós, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Peru, introduced artist Stephane Lefebvre De Bernardi.

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3rd Anniversary Runway Show & Benefit with Aidah Collection

Posted by Susanna at 4:07 PM, May 3, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

ON SATURDAY May 7, 2011, from 8-10 p.m., the Third Anniversary Runway Show & Benefit will be held at Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Court in Northwest Washington. The event is in support of Girls, Inc. of the WDCMA and will be hosted by Paul Wharton of Bravo's "The Real Housewives."

THERE WILL BE a live performance by DJ Neekola & Rex Riot, and spirits by Blackleaf Ultra Premium Organic Vodka. The runway show includes Aidah Collection Summer & Fall 2011 and sustainable jewelry by Alberto Parada. Afterparty at Eden: The Green Room.

FOR MORE information and tickets: www.aidah.com.

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Adult Swedish Language and Culture Immersion Camp in Wisconsin in June

Posted by Susanna at 4:00 PM, May 3, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Travel

"PÅ SVENSKA 2011" - an adult Swedish language and culture immersion camp -- will be in session again this year in Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary in Sarona in northern Wisconsin June 12-17.

EVA APELQVIST (www.evaapelqvist.com), who is the dean of På Svenska, grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. She first came to the United States as an exchange student in high school. A few years later she returned to the U.S. as an exchange student to Gustavus Adolphus College. At the age of 25 she immigrated to this country.

MS. APELQVIST has worked with student exchange for many years, at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has also taught Swedish in her hometown, Spooner, for a number of years. She now works as a full-time writer and translator. Her book "Swede Dreams," a young adult novel about Sweden, was published in 2007.

THE SWEDISH language and culture camp combines love of nature and a longing to learn more about one's Swedish heritage. Except the language training, the camp also offers instruction in how to cook a number of popular Swedish dishes, as well as information about modern, and not so modern Swedish culture, history and politics. On the program is also Swedish dining, Swedish crafts, guided nature walks, and a genuinely Swedish midsummer celebration, and social evening programs and including lectures, movies and live music.

The registration deadline for "På Svenska 2011" is Friday, May 27. For more information, visit: http://hunthill.org/experience-hunt-hill/swedish-immersion-camp/.

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Kim-Eric Williams speaks at a SACU-luncheon in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 10:08 AM, May 1, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Nils Bruzelius, chairman of Swedish-American Cultural Union, and the luncheon speaker Dr. Kim-Eric Williams

DR. KIM-ERIC Williams, who is lecturer at the Swedish Program at the University of Pennsylvania, gave interesting insights of the history of relationships among the colonial Swedish Lutherans of the Delaware Valley in the 17th and 18th centuries with other religions groups such as the Anglicans, German Lutherans and the Moravians, during a SACU (Swedish-American Cultural Union) luncheon on Thursday, April 28. The title of the program was "The Role of Religion in the New Sweden Colony."

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