' THE GENESIS OF OSU'S SLAVIC LIBRARY COLLECTION OSEEN by Leon Twarog ISSN 1048-6615 [Editor's note: Leon Twarog In 1960 foreign language ing first and second year Rus­ (Professor Emeritus, OSU De­ offerings at Ohio State con­ sian. There were only four fac­ William K. Wolf, partment ofSlavic & East Eu­ sisted of French, Spanish, ulty members with partial Editor ropean Languages & Litera­ German, Latin, Greek, and teaching loads in Soviet and/or Russian which had been initi­ East European Studies: Irene Masing-Delic, tures) was the founder and CSEES Director longtime director of the OSU ated during World War II as Michael Condo ide in Eco­ Center for Slavic & East Euro­ part of the Anny Specialized nomics, Charles Morley in The Ohio Slavic & pean Studies.} Training Program. Russian History (Russian & Polish), East European Newsletter (OSEEN) In the Spring of 1960, after language instruction was Lou Nemzer in Political Sci­ is published quarterly seven years at Boston Univer­ housed in the German Depart­ ence, and Earle Brown in Ge­ by the Center for sity, I accepted Ohio State's ment. My appointment at rank ography. The library collection Slavic & East Euro­ offer to develop both a Depart­ of Full Professor with Tenure consisted of about 3,000 vol­ pean Studies (CSEES) at Ohio ment of Slavic Languages and was in the German Depart­ umes in the languages of the State University. Literatures, and an Area Stud­ ment w ith the clear under­ Soviet Union and Eastern Eu­ Funded with Title VI ies Program. I came to Ohio standing that I would head a rope, much smaller than the monies from the US State because, from my point new Department of Slavic collection at the C le veiand Department of Edu­ cation, OSEEN is of view, for Slavic Studies it Languages and Literatures in Public Library. mailed free of charge constituted the largest unde­ the very near future. The Rus­ During the summer of 1960 to subscribers. Sub­ veloped area in the USA "with sian staff consisted of Mrs. I spent nine weeks in the mission of articles, potential." Justina Epp and a GTA teach- continued on page 6 letters, and other information to be considered for publi­ YEVGENY YEVTUSHENKO TO VISIT OSU IN FEBRUARY cation is welcome. Direct submissions Russian poet Yevgeny Yev­ will be free and is open to the most famous poem. and subscription re­ tushenko is slated to g ive a talk public. In addition to writing po­ quests to: on the OSU campus Thursday Mr. Yevtushenko, Russia's etry, Mr. Yevtushenko has W.K. Wolf evening, February 12 , 1998 fo remost liv ing poet, served in written novels, plays. and 1712 Neil Avenue (7:30pm, 200 Campbell Hall). the late l 950's and early screenplays, as well as starrt:d Columbus, Ohio Yevtushenko will discuss 1960' s as the leading exponent in and directed movies. 43210-1219 Mr. Has tel: 614-292-8770 a range of topics, including the of artistic freedom in the post­ fi lm Kindergarden ( 1984) "al I fax: 614-292-4237 contemporary Russian literary Stalinist Soviet Union. Babi be shown on the OSU campus [email protected] scene, recent political develop­ Yar (l 96 I), which mourns the Monday evening, Februar: 2 ments in Russia, as well as his Nazi massacre of some 34,000 (7:30pm, 19 1 Mend~ n hJ ll. latest book. This presentation Ukrainian Jews, is perhaps his OSU Oval). Inside OSEEN Ohio's East Eur. Communities 2 OSU EE Library Collection Notes 5 Expanded Business Outreach 3 Ohio Slavic Calendar 8 Summer Study in St. Petersburg 3 CSEES Video Library Update 10 From the Director 4 Opportunities for Support 11 Discovering Ohio's Slavic & East European Comm unities by Vicki Rulli Where to find these restaurants, delicatessens, shops (Siberian meat dumplings), canned fish products, milk prod­ and museums? Usually tucked away in shopping centers, ucts such as tvorog and kefir, as well as other imported hidden behind nondescript storefronts, and more than likely foods. If you are not familiar with Mayfield Road, finding not listed in the phone book. Welcome to OSEEN's newest Yeleseyevsky can pose quite a problem because it is is a column, devoted to discovering and discussing the great East small shopping strip located behind another shopping strip European resources we have right here in Ohio. From Slavic with a Barnes & Noble bookstore. As you can see the jour­ Village, to the Russian Festival, to the Ukrainian Museum to ney is part of the adventure in going to Yeleseyevsky. Once a Croatian restaurant-we will be looking at some of the best there you will discover that Russian is the language of ethnic East European spots around the state. While I will be choice, but never fear, there is always someone around who reviewing most of these places myself, for some I will be speaks English. Prices are extremely reasonable: a dozen relying on the advice of friends and relatives. If you know of homemade potato pirogies for $2 and a loaf of Borodinsky worthy establishments in or around Ohio, please contact me dark bread brought in from New York City for under $3. by phone at (614) 292-6733 or by e-mail at <[email protected]>. Our last stop in Cleveland is a small photo shop that houses some wonderful Polish gift items, crafts, and Naturally, when looking for Slavic and East Euro­ cards. Avon Photo & Gift, located in the heart of Slavic . pean establishments and events, a good place to begin is in Vi llage at 6510 Fleet A venue (tel: 216-429-2866) is owned northern Ohio, especially the Cleveland area. Our first stop and operated by Ron Altman. Ron has a small, but very nice in this great ethnic city is John's Cafe, which has been serv­ assortment of books, dolls, pins, t-shirts, and other Polish ing hearty Czech-style food for two decades in this Slavic and Slovenian gift items (not to mention that Ron seems to Village neighborhood just north of Fleet Street (3658 East photograph every Slavic functior. in Cleveland, so he's a 52nd Street, tel: 216-641-3671) on the city's East Side. This great source of infonnation !). authentic Czech restaurant is easy to miss-it not only blends right into the neighborhood, but there isn ' t anything Other great places and events around Ohio include: to distinguish it from a regular tavern. That is, of course, until you notice the Czech beer at the bar, the Czech music The Slavic Village Historical Society of Cleveland offers in the background, and you take a look at the menu. There is walking tours of the neighborhood as well as "Lolley-the­ always Czech beef or liver dumpling soup, roast duck or Trolley" tours. Contact Glenn Sobota at 216-64 1-0206 for pork and dumplings with sauerkraut. There are also daily more infonnation. specials: Tuesdays-ptacky (rolled beef); Wednesdays and Fridays-<:hicken paprikash; Thursdays-goulash; Satur­ Columbus Folk Dancers International Classes: For both days-svickova (pickled beef); Sundays-wiener schnitzel. advanced and beginning students, every Wednesday 8- Also, with a few days notice, George Radler (the owner), l 0:30pm at St. Stephen's Church, 30 Woodruff Avenue, will prepare roast goose for you. John's Cafe is open Tues­ Columbus, Ohio. Call (6 14) 459- 1318 for more information. day through Saturday 11 :30am to 7pm and Sunday from Noon to 6pm. Reservations are recommended and take-out is In the next issue of OSEEN, I will be looking again available. It is important, however, to remember that this is a at the East European ethnic neighborhoods of Cleveland, cash-only restaurant and that it is closed Mondays. The aver­ some great delicatessens in Columbus, as well as the fabu­ age menu item cost is about $6. lous festivals that take place around Ohio. Thanks and ENJOY! Next on our tour of Cleveland is a Russian store. The Yeleseyevsky Delicatessen, located on the East Side in * * * * * Mayfield Heights (5838 Mayfield Road, tel: 216-46 1-5010) is not only one of the best sources for dark "black" bread, Vicki Rulli is a graduate student in the OSU Department of but for homemade prepared salads and pickles, pelmeni Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures. OSU SLAVIC PROGRAMS EXP AND BUSINESS OUTREACH EFFORTS In the coming weeks the OSU which is open to the public. viet Union. The list of speakers in­ Slavic Programs have planned several On Wednesday evening, February cludes representatives of: BI SN IS (US events as part of their expanded East l I, 5-7pm, the OSU Slavic Programs Dept. of Commerce), CE EBI C (US European business and investment will co-sponsor Afterhours, a free Dept of Commerce), USA!D, Hollo­ outreach programs: a Columbus Chamber of phane Corporation, Ukraine Invest­ brief seminar, an all-day Commerce-suppor ted ments, the Russian Farm Community conference, and an networking event pro­ Proj ect, Governor's Office of the State evening reception. viding opportunities for of Ohio, as well as US Representative The seminar will fo­ all participants to make Sherrod Brown, among many others. cus on the culture of new business contacts in For more information or registration business in Russia, em­ a relaxed setting. The materials, contact Vicki Rulli at (614) phasizing how it differs reception will be in Bat­ 292-6733 or by e-mail at from American business telle Hall at the Colum­ "[email protected]". culture. The seminar will bus Convention Center. Those wishing to be kept informed be led by Tanya An all-day East Eu­ of future events in the OSU Slavic Smorodinskaya, and will ropean business confer­ Programs business outreach schedule be held Wednesday, February 4, from ence, organized by the OSU Slavic should contact Bill Wolf at 614-292- 2:30-4:30pm at the Fawcett Center for Programs, is scheduled for February 26 8770 ([email protected]).