May 17, 2019: a delegation of the "Forum Russische Kultur Gütersloh" headed by its Chairman Thomas Fischer visited the city of Taganrog for the sixth time. The previous visit to the home city of Anton Chekhov took place in
2017.
Since foundation, the German organisation has been committed to promotion of friendly relations between Germany and Russia by holding cultural events with participation of Russian folk bands in Germany, supporting local cultural associations and councils, arranging joint art exhibitions and organizing trips across Russian cities.
In April 2014, the Taganrog Municipal Chamber Orchestra directed by Alexander Gurevich was invited by the Forum Russische Kultur Gütersloh and gave
concerts in Bielefeld-Senne, Steinhagen, Gütersloh and Bonn. December 9, 2015 a
concert by soloists from Taganrog - Ulyana Karda (vocals) and Alyona Pletnyova (piano) was held at the Glinka Music Saloon of the Russian House of Culture and Science in Berlin, Germany. The same day exhibition "Impressionen von einer Reise in Russlands Süden" ("Impressions of the Travel to Southern Russia") opened at the Russian House. Photos taken in Taganrog by local photographers Vladimir Vergoti, Sergey Plishenko, A. Gusakov, Alexander Mirgorodskiy, Vladimir Ubogiy, Alexander Serdyukov and V. Shiryaev along with those made by the members of Forum Russische Kultur Gütersloh were on display in Berlin until January 10, 2016.
The German delegation came to Taganrog on May 14 and within a few days visited the
major tourist attractions, museums,
Taganrog drama theater, visited the cities of Azov and Rostov on Don and attended the 4th edition of
Crimean War reenactment of the rout of the English and French from the city of Taganrog.
One of "Forum Russische Kultur Gütersloh" representatives, Mrs. Hedwig Verlssteffen, brought an accordion that belonged to her late husband. Her spouse was Russian by nationality and passed away a few years ago and the German decided to present the ancient Italian accordion to Taganrog Municipal Chamber Orchestra directed by Alexander Gurevich.
On May 15, 2019 a ceremony for the handover was held in the historical assembly hall of Chekhov Gymansium. Welcoming the guests, City Council President & City Executive Inna Titarenko thanked the Forum for the long-standing cooperation and developping friendship ties with Taganrog.
"Over the last 10 years the Forum organized 18 Russian and German childrens' art exhibitions. Two art shows of Taganrog photographers and young artists from Taganrog have been held in the Russian House of Culture and Science in Berlin. "Forum Russische Kultur Gütersloh" presented the local libraries with over 200 German books and printed publications", reminded Inna Titarenko. "This cooperation brings people together and contributes to the enhancement of mutual understanding. For us, it is very important that German people learn interesting facts about Taganrogers, including that Taganrog is not just the home city of the great Russian playwright
Anton Chekhov and actress
Faina Ranevskaya, but also a city of old music traditions".
Accordion player Andrei Gagarin was given the opportunity to play the presented instrument. The day was concluded by a concert, provided by Taganrog Municipal Chamber Orchestra under Alexander Gurevich and soloist Vera Terekhova.
