First UW Slavic Fest Set for May 15 and 16

Leaders from each Slavic community in the Seattle area have worked together for months to create the first UW Slavic Fest celebrating the richness of Slavic cultures in our midst. Unified by their Slavic languages, each community has unique dances, crafts, songs and culture that will be featured in a weekend celebration. This is the first time local Slavic communities, some newly arrived and others well established, have joined together in a common festival.

On Saturday, May 15, an array of classes will be offered at Polish Home in Seattle at 1714 18th Avenue. Learn to make delicious Russian piroshki, traditional Bulgarian crafts or study the steps of Bosnian, Bulgarian or Croation dances, during a day of cooking, dance and craft workshops taught by local artists. Saturday evening, the annual Cyril & Methodius party features live entertainment by Balkan Cabaret with Mary Sherhart and others at Polish Home with traditional food, drink and dancing. This evening event has been held in Seattle for 24 years as a celebration of education, honoring Saints Cyril and Methodius, recognized as the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet.

On Sunday, Slavic communities will turn out in large numbers for a colorful, raucous folklore parade and children's concert on the University of Washington campus. Beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Drumheller Fountain. Families, dancers and musicians will gather in traditional costumes with live musicians accompanying each community. The parade will move on to Red Square, followed by a 90-minute free concert beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Kane Hall by children's performing groups from local Slavic communities.

This celebration is presented in partnership by the UW Alumni Association and the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington. For more information about prices or to register visit the UW alumni Association Web site at www.UW alum.com.