Other Resources

Kruzhok

The Kruzhok (lit. “circle,” study group, interest group) is an informal gathering of graduate students, professors, and other researchers working in Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies. Organized through the Department of History, the kruzhok is open to students and scholars from all disciplines. Participants read and discuss works in progress (theses, chapters, articles) and provide feedback to the authors. The kruzhok typically meets on Friday afternoons.

Contact: Piotr Puchalski
Email: ppuchalski@wisc.edu

Muslim Students Association

MSA seeks to enhance Muslim students’ involvement and participation in Islamic activities on-campus or in the community and to increase awareness and better understanding of the Islamic faith at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

More information

Contact: Rashid Dar
E-mail: rdar@wisc.edu
Web: uw-msa.com

Orthodox Christian Fellowship

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is for students who are Orthodox Christians or are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Faith. Our mission is to support and unite all Orthodox students by fostering events, education and discussion about the Orthodox Church. Our group includes members from all cultural backgrounds of the Faith: Russian, Greek, Slav, Middle Eastern, and more.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship on Facebook.

Polish Student Association at UW-Madison

PSA is a student-led organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a passion for sharing the Polish culture through campus and community events. We have bi-weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. for our student members. For room locations and other club updates, please send us an email and we will add you to our contact list! You do not have to speak nor be Polish to be a part of our student organization. As long as you have a passion for sharing/learning about the Polish culture, please join! For those who wish to learn or sharpen their language skills, we do have additional “Polish Table” meetings where our members only speak in Polish.

Polish Student Association on Facebook

Russian Folk Orchestra 

The Russian Folk Orchestra of the University of Wisconsin-Madison brings together students, faculty and staff, and community members who share a love of Russian and East European traditional music. The orchestra largely consists of two groups of authentic Russian stringed instruments: domras and balalaikas. All of them have three strings but are tuned differently. Domras are oval shape instruments and come in 4 sizes: piccolo, prima, alto, and bass; balalaikas are triangular shape instruments and come in 5 sizes: prima, secunda, alto, bass, and contrabass. The orchestra also uses two accordions, a flute, an oboe, and various percussion instruments. The repertoire consists mainly of Russian and other Slavic folk songs, dances, ballads, etc. The orchestra also plays music of Russian classical composers, such as Tchaikovsky. Occasionally, selections of Western music are introduced. Currently, the orchestra rehearses once a week in room 1418 Van Hise Hall on the UW-Madison Campus. There are currently 35 members in the orchestra.

Contact: Jennifer Tishler
E-mail: musicdir@rfo.wisc.edu
Web: rfo.wisc.edu

Russian House

Русский дом (Ruskii Dom) is a language floor in the International Learning Community for students with an interest in Russian language and culture. Residents gather at meals, cook Russian food, go to concerts of Russian music, visit the local Russian food store, watch Russian films, and chat in the hallways about daily life. Students of all levels of Russian are welcome.

More information

South Slavic Society

The purpose of this club is to provide a channel of communication between Slavic faculty, staff and students, as well as anyone simply interested in the culture and traditions of the Balkan region. The club seeks to introduce the UW-Madison community to Slavic culture, history, language and heritage and also promote respect and mutual understanding in the multicultural environment of the University.

South Slavic Society on Facebook

Madison Russian Conversation Table (Русский Стол)

Russian Table/Русский стол is a group of Russians, Americans, and others living in the Madison area who meet regularly to speak Russian. The club meets once a week on Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at Barrique’s Cafe, 127 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI. Russian Table is open to people with any level of experience in Russian.

Join the Table on Facebook or contact madisonrussiantable@gmail.com to be added to the club’s email list

Madison Russian School (Русская Школа)

A non-profit heritage language school established in 2003. Offers a variety of programs for children and adults to learn Russian.

www.madisonrussianschool.org

Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities Inc. (MVSC)

Founded in 1989, MVSC’s mission is to develop and facilitate exchanges between Vilnius and Madison for the mutual benefit of citizens of both cities and to maintain a sister-cities relationship between Madison, Wisconsin and Vilnius, Lithuania. MVSC undertakes broad community education efforts to acquaint Madison area citizens with the values and lifestyles Lithuania’s people and the social, economic, cultural, and political systems within their society.

www.madisonvilnius.org/

Polish Heritage Club

The Polish Heritage Club of Madison seeks to encourage among Americans, particularly Americans of Polish ancestry, an interest in and knowledge of the Polish as well as American traditions in their cultural heritage. The club regularly organizes social and civic activities aimed at sustaining the originality, value and joy of Polish customs and traditions and their compatibility with American history and culture. The club also seeks to advance academic learning and education, and offers a tuition assistance scholarship for eligible students.

www.phcwi-madison.org/