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Park
of Glory
In
remembering our ancestors, each of us benefits from this well-grounded
aspect
of our awareness that allows us to stand with pride. Of special
importance to
the Russian people is honoring their heroes, those who built and
strengthened Russia,
making
it into a country rich with history and one that is notable throughout
the
world. With this in mind, Russian House Rodina is honored and proud
to
announce the creation of the “Park
of Glory.
The
grand opening of this unique Park of Glory
is scheduled for May 26, 2013.
Two days
before - on May 24, Russian House Rodina will begin its two
week-long celebration of Russian Culture with a reception devoted to
the “Slavonic Literature and
Culture Day” in memory of Saints
Cyril and
Methodius,
Teachers of the Slavic Peoples. Celebrations will continue until June
8, 2013.
The Park of Glory
sits on 12 ½ acres and will honor Russia with sculptures and
busts of
prominent Russian figures for all to admire in the out-of-doors. It
will
feature such outstanding figures as St.
Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry
Donskoy, St.
Sergius of Radonezh, Czar Ivan III,
Yermak Timofeyevich, Peter the
Great, Catherine the
Great,
Alexander I,
Alexander II, Alexander III,
Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail
Lermontov, Nikolai Gogol, Field
Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, Prince Pyotr
Bagration, Prince
Michael Barclay de Tolly, Matvey Platov, Pyotr Stolypin,
Admiral and St. Fyodor Ushakov, Admiral Pavel Nakhimov, Aleksandr
Suvorov, General
Mikhail Skobelev, Sergei Witte, Marshal
Georgy Zhukov,
Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Mstislav Rostropovich and Vladimir Vysotsky.
In the future, this list will increase.
Planned installation of monuments to Tsar-martyr
Nicholas II, Tchaikovsky, Rakhmaninoff, Zvorykin, Sikorsky
and other prominent Russian figures.
The Park of Glory also plans to build a chapel in memory
of all warriors
who have died for the liberty of Russia.
The
"Park of Glory"
will be an important part of Russian history in America,
as it becomes a part of Russian House Rodina,
which was founded by Russian émigrés in 1936.
Russian
history will appear in the Park of Glory
in all its
grandeur, complexity, and diversity, and will be presented in the most
vivid
and dramatic forms. Also
set to open on May 24, 2013 is the downstairs
museum which
will house an exhibit dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the
accession of
the Romanov dynasty.
The
history of Russian emigration is complex, multifaceted, and ambiguous.
We can
only regret that during the years of great social upheavals in Russia,
countless numbers of talented people were forced to leave their
country. Many
found refuge in America,
which embraced them with open arms and gave them the opportunity to
realize
their creative potential. Such prominent people of the 20th Century as
Saint
John (Maximovitch)
of Shanghai and San Francisco, Patriarch Tikhon,
Herman of
Alaska, Seraphim (Rose), Feodor Chaliapin,
Igor Stravinsky, Sergei
Rachmaninoff,
Igor Sikorsky, Yul Brynner, Wassily Leontief, George Florovsky,
Alexander de
Seversky, Vladimir Zworykin, Pitirim Sorokin and many others
belong to
the
history of both countries. Their contributions to the history of America
can be
the foundation of our modern relationships, with deep mutual respect
between
the two countries and understanding of their histories.
"The Park
of Glory" will be
the symbol of the
centuries-old ties between the two countries and their good relations.
Despite
the complexity and ambiguity of the two countries current international
relations, we should
be constantly reminded of the history of both
countries. During
the Crimean War (1853-1856), the United States supported Russia and
refused to
side with the hostile coalition of European countries; Russia in return
saved
the U.S. from foreign intervention, sending to its shores two marine
squadrons
in 1863 during the American Civil War. In 1900, the legendary cruiser "Varyag" departed the Philadelphia
docks where it was built. The Russian Navy Ensign of St. Andrew was a
symbol of
American friendship and mutual assistance between the two great powers.
We
have no doubt that such a unique phenomenon as the "Park
of Glory" will be the central
attraction for all Russian-speaking, Russian-thinking people, who find
themselves outside of Russia.
We also believe that the descendants of earlier waves of immigrants to
the United
States, Canada and other countries will be friends with the Russian House Rodina and will participate in the variety
of events, concerts,
exhibitions, festivals, and meetings that Russian House Rodina offers. In
addition, the "Park
of Glory" and
“Rodina” will be of interest to anyone interested in history and
culture,
regardless of ancestry and religion.
In
order to make this all possible and bring justice to the incredibly
rich
history of Russia,
we are in need of active supporters and donors. For such a large and
important
project, we are not only in need of financial support and also the
labor of
talented people with a genuine love for Russia.
We
are confident that the creation of the "Park of Glory"
will inspire people of Russian heritage, and most important the youth,
who can
strengthen their relationship with their historic homeland and ensure a
relationship for many future generations to come. "Pride in the glory
of
one's ancestors is not only possible, but necessary; a lack of respect
shows
shameful cowardice." (Alexander
Pushkin).
We
are and will be forever grateful for the financial support of sponsors
and
patrons, a private
initiative which in the past in Russia
erected monuments, churches,
hospitals and schools. The names of such personages The Stroganov
Family, Savva
Mamontov, Vladimir Stasov, Pavel Tretyakov, Ivan Morozov and
many
others have
become an inseparable part of the history of the Russian Empire. "Private
initiative for the benefit of Russia
- is the true love for the Fatherland" (Catherine the Great). We hope
and
trust that you can joint these illustrious and historic contributors to
the
cause of Russian culture and society in the United States.
Photo report about the
opening of the Park of Glory - here.
Television coverage of the
"Park of Glory" can be viewed here:
1. On
RBK (Russia);
2. On
the TV channel "Union" (Russia);
3. Asbury
Park Press (USA);
4. 12th
channel (USA).
Reports on the opening of the
Park of Glory in the magazin "Moscow" - here.
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