Three educators from Plymouth NH journeyed to Northwest Russia
from June 18 to 3o, 2009 to attend the 425th Anniversary of the
founding of the City of Archangel- the first major port in
Russia on the White Sea. The group had an official invitation
from the Mayor of Archangel Victor Pavlenko. Plymouth State
University faculty members Sam Miller and Mary Ann McGarry were
accompanied by Michelle Jutras, Campton Elementary School middle
level geography teacher, PSU alumna, and Plymouth resident. The
three member Plymouth contingent joined Dennis Marrotte, the
group leader from Portland ME, which has been an official
"Sister City" to Archangel for over 20 years. Dennis has made
seven trips to Russia as the Vice-Chair of the Sister City
Program. The four person American delegation presented three
proclamations from the Governor of Maine, the Maine State
Legislature, and the Mayor of Portland on the occasion of "City
Day", where the group enjoyed the festivities during the white
nights of the summer solstice. The visiting Americans were
welcomed to an array of official events - seeing the best the
city has to offer- including a two hour show featuring the best
regional entertainers: pop stars, folk-singers, Russian dancers
of all kinds and ages, and circus and gymnastic acrobatic
performers. It was like the opening of the Olympics (which will
be held in the resort city of Sochi on the Black Sea in the
winter of 2014). A special reception and dinner was held to
introduce all the international guests - five delegations from
various sister cities, and two regional centers of Russian
cities, including President Kokoity of South Ossetia; Mayor
Pennanent of Oulu, Finland; Mayor Mortensen of Varde, Norway;
Vice Oberburgomistra Dokter of Emden, Germany; President
Kobylinsky of Slupsk, Poland; and representatives from the
Yaroslavi and Kursk regions of Russia. In addition, Sam and Mary
Ann met with the leaders of the Archangel State Technical
University (ASTU) to explore possible future educational
exchanges between the two universities.
Sam and Dennis explored meteorological facilities in
Archangel and the Solovki Weather Station on the Solovetski
Islands; the purpose of Sam's visits to the Archangel Regional
Weather Center and the Solovki field office was to explore the
possibility of an internship for one of PSU's meteorology
undergraduates with the Russian weather service, and to survey
the methods used by operational meteorologists in Russia. Mary
Ann and Michelle toured Kenozero National Park (established in
1991 for its unique natural, historical and cultural features).
The Park contains over 200 lakes and includes the watershed
divide between the Baltic and White Seas. Mary Ann was
investigating options for future student exchanges involving
environmental service learning opportunities for PSU students. A
highlight was a forest walk led by young members of an
ecological club in the South of the Park. In addition to
visiting preserved wooden Russian Orthodox chapels with
beautiful painted ceilings of archangels and apostles, Mary Ann
and Michelle were intrigued by the obey crosses marking sites of
ancient worship or homage throughout the Park (more than 3o are
preserved). Both chapels and crosses are often found near old
growth trees, recognized since pagan times as sacred groves;
each has its own legend and history. Hidden away far from roads,
the special ecological, historical, and cultural sites probably
survived the Soviet era due to their remote locations. Michelle
was also invited by the head teacher Victoria Lubentsova to
visit Secondary Comprehensive School 11 in central Archangel. In
addition to museums and other city and river boat excursions,
all four guests visited the Seaweed Factory, unique in
Archangel, which produces seaweed food supplies and cosmetic
products. Director Dr. Elena Bokova discussed associated
ecological issues with the group in her office after their tour.
The Open World Program based at the U.S. Library of Congress has
been instrumental in building these relationships between PSU
and the various institutions in the Archangel Region. Open World
delegations and alumni have visited Maine and PSU in 2005, 2007
and 2008. In return, Sam and Mary Ann visited OW alumni in
Archangel and Solovki on this trip. If is hoped that another OW
delegation will visit PSU in December 2009. This delegation may
include Natalia Shangina who just completed her Master's Degree
thesis at ASTU focusing on the poetry of Robert Frost and Walt
Whitman. She would visit the PSU campus, where poet Robert Frost
once taught and who is now commemorated with a life size bronze
statue on the campus green. The building where he once lived and
worked is preserved for faculty professional development. She
would give guest lectures, which would be advertised and open to
the public. PSU and Archangel State Technical University plan to
develop future programs to benefit faculty and students from
both campuses, including some distance technology initiatives.
