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The upcoming Lyric Opera Guild Board’s Fantasy of the Opera party is going to be c’est magnifique!

As a member of the Guild Board, I am proud to be serving on the planning committee for this spectacular event taking place at the Civic Opera House on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.

This year’s theme is Midnight in Paris, and attendees will have the chance to enter the Moulin Rouge, wander past the Eiffel Tower and experience performances that would have inspired artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.

To make the evening even more memorable, guests are encouraged to dress in Parisian-inspired costumes, as they enjoy cocktails and gourmet samplings from Chicago’s finest restaurants, as well as a silent auction, raffle and star-studded performances. I am looking forward to seeing the imaginative and elegant costumes that people wear for the ball!

Also new this year, guests will have the option of having a sit-down dinner or enjoying h’ors dorvors at a lively cocktail reception.

Ticket prices start at $275 for general admission or $500 for a seated dinner service. To purchase tickets, visit http://lyricopera.org/fantasy2013 or call 312-827-5656.

Aleksandra Efimova at the 2012 Chicago Consular Corps Ball

Consular Corps Ball

Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) was privileged to once again host the Chicago Consular Corps Ball on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at the Four Seasons Chicago. The international guest list included members of the 84 foreign Consulates and Honorary Consulates in Chicago.

“Chicago has been a great and welcoming partner to the 84 countries that make up the Chicago Consular Corps,” said Patricia Maza-Pittsford, Dean of the Chicago Consular Corps and Consul General of El Salvador to Chicago. “Together, we succeed in maintaining the vital ties between the city and our respective countries. Each year at the Chicago Consular Corps Ball, we celebrate these important relationships between Chicago and the diplomatic community and honor a Chicagoan who has proven to be a leading example of the city’s values around the world. We were pleased to honor such a person, William A. Osborn, with the 2012 Global Citizen Award.”

This was the second year in a row that Russians made up a complete table at the event. Russian attendees included Aleksandra Efimova of Aleksandra Enterprises, Alexander Tseitline of NLMK Indiana, Alena Tsimis of I Imagine Studio, and Victoria Friedman of the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery.

“The ball was wonderful,” Ms. Friedman said. “It reminded us that Chicago is a major player on the international scene and that we have much to be proud of.”

Ms. Efimova agreed. “To me, celebrating the contributions of all cultures is important in building bridges among people worldwide, both to foster business development abroad and to promote a peaceful global community. I am proud to be part of events like this that help strengthen and maintain strong ties between countries all over the world.”

The Chicago Consular Corps chose William A. Osborn to receive the prestigious 2012 Global Citizen Award, which honors an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the international reputation, stature and outreach of Chicago. Last year’s honoree, Ann Lurie, joined Consul General Maza-Pittsford in presenting the award. Osborn has a long and impressive record of giving back to the Chicago community—making the city a better one and helping to enhance Chicago’s standing worldwide.

“In our capacity as Chicago’s ambassador to the world, Chicago Sister Cities International was once again proud to host the Chicago Consular Corps Ball. With 84 consulates represented in Chicago, one of the largest diplomatic communities in the United States, we work with the Chicago Consular Corps to
develop international partnerships and share best practices between Chicago and our global partners whether they’re in government, business, schools or
cultural organizations. Events such as this strengthen the connections between Chicago and our international partners and help to highlight Chicago as a
global city,” said Leroy Allala, Executive Director of Chicago Sister Cities International.

Mayor and Mrs. Rahm Emanuel & Consul General Maza-Pittsford and Philip Pittsford served as Honorary Chairs for the Ball; President and Chief Executive Officer of Motorola Solutions Gregory Brown and Anna Brown & Chairman of Chicago Sister Cities International Sam and Dona Scott served as Co-Chairs; ABC7’s Ravi Baichwal served as Master of Ceremonies; and a speech was given by Deputy Mayor Steven Koch. Mayor Emanuel attended a special VIP reception with the Chicago Consular Corps.

The proceeds from the Chicago Consular Corps Ball support the work of Chicago Sister Cities International and fund Chicago Consular Corps scholarships to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Aleksandra Efimova and Bill Daley

On Aug. 14, I had the pleasure of attending a fascinating discussion with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and William Daley, former Chief of Staff under President Obama and brother of Mayor Richard Daley.

Sponsored by the Economic Club of Chicago, the discussion focused on immigration reform, the current political campaign and the economy and was moderated by Andrea Mitchell, chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News.

It was personally touching to see William Daley return to his hometown of Chicago for the event, since I have known the Daley family for several years and have had the opportunity to meet him on numerous occasions. In fact, the first time I met William Daley was when we both were in Copenhagen representing Chicago as a potential host city for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The discussion centered on the upcoming Presidential election, which could greatly impact small business owners, such as myself.

Both Bloomberg and William Daley said they are frustrated that the candidates are refusing to discuss immigration reform, which they say is one of the best ways to improve the economy. “There is no way to help the economy as quickly and as cost-free as opening the borders to create jobs and create business,” Bloomberg said.

I found both Daley’s and Mr. Bloomberg’s views on immigration, health care, taxes, and the economy very enlightening, and I am looking forward to hearing more dynamic speakers at the next Economic Club of Chicago event.

(Article courtesy of Rossotrudnichestvo)

С 17 по 20 июня руководитель Россотрудничества Константин Косачев посетил Вашингтон. Программа пребывания руководителя Агентства в Вашингтоне была насыщена разнообразными событиями. Константин Косачев осуществил серию встреч в Администрации президента США, Конгрессе и Сенате, принял участие в конференции, организованной Институтом «За демократию и сотрудничество». На конференции обсуждался широкий спектр вопросов российско-американских отношений,  влияние на международную и двустороннюю политику факторов мировой экономики.

18 июня в Российском центре науки и культуры в Вашингтоне руководитель Россотрудничества открыл Фестиваль, посвящённый творчеству великого композитора Дмитрия Шостаковича, который продлится до конца 2012 года и пройдет по территориям  нескольких штатов страны. В программе Фестиваля серия мероприятий на различных театральных площадках. В университетах и музеях США пройдут показы художественных фильмов, в которых звучит музыка великого композитора.

В церемонии торжественного открытия фестиваля приняли участие любители творчества композитора. Гостями фестиваля стали представители дипломатического корпуса, в частности посольств Испании, Мексики, Боливии, Украины, российские дипломаты в США,  известные политики и музыканты США. Среди 150 гостей Центра было немало российских соотечественников, проживающих в Соединенных Штатах.

Завершил  официальную часть мероприятия концерт с участием выдающихся музыкантов профессора Веры Данченко и лауреата международных конкурсов баритона Карла Ратнера, исполнивших романсы на музыку Дмитрия Шостаковича.

В рамках программы пребывания руководителя Россотрудничества 19 июня состоялась встреча с представителями организаций соотечественников. Константин Косачев рассказал о деятельности Россотрудничества, программах, реализуемых в настоящее время, и планах развития Агентства.

С большим интересом глава Агентства выслушал сообщения представителей организаций соотечественников Александра Ефимова (предпринимателя из Чикаго, организатора серии  проектов с Россией),  Игоря Бабошкина (председателя Координационного Совета Соотечественников в США, представителя США во Всемирном Координационном Совете Соотечественников), Улугбека Ниязова (координатора проектов некоммерческой организации “New World Connection,” Inc.), Геннадия Гладкова (менеджера по программам Центра Российского и Евразийского развития), Ларису Петренко (президента Американской Ассоциации Русских Женщин), Сергея Часовских (члена Совета директоров Российско-Американской Ассоциации Ученых (РАСА)), Василия Ступина (Президента Ассоциации Славянских Иммигрантов США). Руководитель Россотрудничества отметил важность совместной работы, поблагодарил участников встречи, высказал свои пожелания на дальнейшее сотрудничество и взаимную поддержку.

После встречи с соотечественниками Константин Косачев провел пресс-конференцию и дал интервью Русской службе «Голоса Америки».

More than 30 children celebrated Russia’s national holiday with a reading of a Russian-version of Cinderella at the Russian Pointe Dance Boutique on Friday, June 15.

The children, all of whom have at least one Russian-speaking parent, were eager to hear a story in their native language and sat attentively
as author Aleksandra Efimova read The Cinderella Ballet by Aleksandra®, which has been translated into Russian.

After the book reading, children learned about the Russian alphabet and acted out scenes from the story with the companion Cinderella
Stage Scene Play Set. The children were also treated to an elegant brunch and had the opportunity to take photos with ballerinas dressed in regal tutus.

Inna Elterman brought her three children, ages 14, 7, and 2, to the event and said all three enjoyed the storytime. “My 7-year-old son, Eli,
was very proud to show off his knowledge of Russian letters in the alphabet activity after the book reading, and my 2-year-old daughter, Kate, did not want to leave until she has rearranged the stickers in the dress-up book in every possible sequence,” Ms. Elterman said.

Victoria Friedman said her daughter was mesmerized by the Russian version of Cinderella. “Since the event, Aleksandra’s Cinderella ballet
book has become the highlight of my daughter’s bed-time reading,” she said.

Hosted by the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, chaired by Ms. Efimova and Prince Piotr Galitzen, the event was
held in honor of Russia’s national holiday, which is celebrated on June 12 and commemorates the day in 1990 when the Russian parliament formally declared sovereignty over Russia. The event was co-hosted by Rossotrudnichestvo — the (Russian) Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation —
which aims to promote the study of Russian language.

Aleksandra Efimova is also the president of Growing Through Arts®, a company that creates and markets educational books and toys for
children. The company currently has six books available in English and two in Russian, The Cinderella Ballet by Aleksandra® and The Peter and the Wolf Symphony by Aleksandra®. Matching toys that illustrate the Russian alphabet will be available at the end of July. Both the books and matching toys can be purchased at the Russian Pointe Dance Boutique, as well as online at GrowingThroughArts.com.

More than 250 Russian nationals and Americans joined together to celebrate Russia Day at a black-tie gala at the Chicago Cultural Center on Thursday, June 14.

Hosted by the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, chaired by Aleksandra Efimova and Prince Piotr Galitzine, the
event honored Russia’s national holiday, which is celebrated on June 12 and commemorates the day in 1990 when the Russian parliament formally declared sovereignty over Russia. This is only the second year that Russia Day has been celebrated in Chicago, and the first year the event included a black-tie gala.

Sergey I. Kislyak, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, gave the keynote speech of the evening, highlighting the
importance of strengthening the relationships between the United States and Russia and focusing on the similarities between Chicago and Moscow.

Other speakers included Mr. Galitzine, chairman of TMK IPSCO, a Russian company with offices in Downers Grove; Alexander Tseitline, vice
president of technology and research of the Russian-owned company NLMK USA; and Mike Rehwinkel, president and CEO of EVRAZ North America.

Ms. Efimova acted as the host, and said she felt overwhelming pride for both countries at the event.

“It was absolutely a great success,” Ms. Efimova said of the event. “I was so pleased to be able to introduce Russian culture to so many
Americans, and to inspire Russians to have a sense of pride in our homeland.”

In addition to the speaches, the evening also included an elegant dinner featuring authentic Russian food, as well as performances by the
Campanella Children’s Choir, which sang Russian songs; The Joffrey Ballet Academy, performing a piece from Cinderella; The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center performing a selection from Eugene Onegin; and 75 members of the Chicago Master Singers, who will be traveling to St. Petersburg at the end of June.

The Moscow Committee presented donations to the Campanella Children’s Choir, as well as to several World War II veterans from both the Russian and American sides.

“I truly hope Russia Day encourages people of all countries to see the commonalities between each other and fosters collaboration among
Russians and Americans to promote peace and economic growth,” Ms. Efimova said.

Mr. Tseitline said his company, NLMK USA, which is the U.S. arm of a Russian-owned steel company, is an example of the benefits of two countries working together.

“Thanks to the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities, events like these are bringing our countries closer together through understanding of common values that bind us,” he said. “I hope to see an even bigger Russia Day next year.”

Mr. Galitzine agreed that the Russia Day celebration was a success. “All the work that went into the Russia Day events would have been worth it if everyone had just gone home at the end with only a grain more understanding for, and interest in, Russia,” he said. “As it turned out, the reaction of our guests and participants was off the charts. The goodwill and gratitude for putting on such an event was palpable!”

Chicago Sister Cities International coordinates programs and projects with Chicago’s 28 sister cities and is committed to promoting Chicago
as a global city, developing international partnerships and networks, and sharing best practices on a city-to-city basis.

Since its inception in 1960, Chicago Sister Cities International has built bridges between the people of Chicago and its international neighbors to achieve greater mutual understanding and to strengthen civic, economic, and cultural ties. Chicago has been a sister city with Moscow since 1997.

On May 10, I had the privilege of being asked to take part in a panel discussion about crowdfunding at the University of Illinois’s Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

If you’re not familiar with the term, crowdfunding is a way that large groups of individuals can donate money to a group — such as musicians, independent filmmakers, campaigns or entrepreneurs — to help them get their projects off the ground. Individuals donate money to groups on websites, such as Kickstarter.com, RocketHub.com and more, and sometimes those individuals are considered “investors” in the
companies they donate to.

Held at the Illini Center in Chicago, the panel discussion featured entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors and attorneys who spoke about the benefits and drawbacks of crowdfunding.

The topic was especially relevant because on April 5, President Obama signed the JOBS Act, which legalizes crowdfunding investing in
the United States, although crowdfunding does not currently have the same safeguards and regulations that are currently placed on
traditional investments.

When I started my business in 1998, crowdfunding did not exist, and today, it can open up a whole new world of financing to entrepreneurs. However, there are many unanswered questions about how crowdfunding will affect entrepreneurs.

For example, when you post information about your startup business on a crowdfunding website, you can’t keep any of your trade secrets confidential to your competitors. Plus, when an entrepreneur has thousands of investors, how much can those investors tell you how to run your company?

It was fascinating to be part of such a lively, topical discussion, and I am glad I was able to contribute to a broader dialogue about this interesting business trend.

Aleksandra Efimova and Sen. Dick Durbin at a NATO dinner for the president of Latvia.

A dinner for the president of Latvia during the NATO summit.

Aleksandra Efimova and Richard Driehaus at the NATO summit.

Aleksandra Efimova and Latvia’s ambassador to the United States, Andrejs Pildegovics.

Aleksandra Efimova and Andris Berzins, president of Latvia.

As a member of the Chicago 2012 NATO Hosting Committee, headed by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s wife, Amy Rule, I was proud to be one of the Chicagoans who greeted heads of state who attended the NATO summit.

Andris Berzins, president of Latvia, was one of the first international leaders to arrive in Chicago for the summit, and on Friday, May 18, he met with some of the city’s approximately 10,000 Latvians as well as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Later that night, I attended a reception for Mr. Berzins at the Richard Driehaus Museum, which was also attended by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, as well as Latvia’s ambassador to the United States, Andrejs Pildegovics.

On Saturday, I attended a reception for Serzh Sargsyan, president of Armenia. Unfortunately, Mr. Sargsyan didn’t make it to the event, but the dinner still took place with the official delegation. But, as with all Armenian dinners, it was a great party!

Finally, on Sunday night, I was part of the opening night welcoming reception for all of the world leaders, held at the gorgeous ballroom at the end of Navy Pier. It was amazing to be gathered in one spot with so many people from such diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

As I stood in the ballroom overlooking the Chicago skyline, I was truly proud to be a Chicagoan. All of the security, transportation and planning were very well handled and organized, and we really proved that we do live in one of the best cities in the world.

I know events like this one help make the world a stronger, more peaceful place where countries collaborate with each other for the good of all. The entire NATO experience will be something I will cherish for years to come.

Soprano Heather Aranyi performs music by a Russian composer at the 2011 Russia Day Celebration.

On June 12, tune in to classical music station 98.7 WFMT as they play all Russian music in honor of Russia’s Independence Day.

A diverse array of Russian classical music will be played from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., as well as live performances from WFMT’s Levin Performance Studio featuring outstanding Russian artists.

Russia Day, Russia’s national holiday, is celebrated on June 12 and commemorates the day in 1990 when the Russian parliament formally declared sovereignty over Russia. Last year was the first time the holiday was celebrated in Chicago, and this year, I hope to make the festivities even bigger.

In addition to the Russian broadcast on WFMT, I am also helping to organize several private events, including the Green Buildings Forum, where Chicago and Moscow companies and government entities will gather to discuss ideas for making our buildings more environmentally friendly.

I am so thrilled that Chicagoans will have the opportunity to learn more about Russian culture through our famous Russian composers, and I
hope you will join me in listening to Russian music on June 12.

I have always been a lover of opera. I grew up seeing the great operas in St. Petersburg, Russia, and fell in love with the elaborate sets, beautiful music and dramatic stories I saw on the stage.

When I moved to Chicago seven years, ago I immediately became a season ticket holder at the Lyric Opera of Chicago so I could continue to see high-level productions in my own city.

Last spring, I joined the Lyric Opera’s Junior Board as a way to give back to this historic institution, and this month, I am pleased to announce that the Lyric has selected me to be a member of their Guild Board. I am thrilled to be able to contribute even more to an organization that is such a vital member of the Chicago arts community.

As a member of the Lyric’s Junior Board, I helped to support the Lyric by serving as the Junior Board chairperson for the annual Fantasy of the Opera gala, and by serving as a tour guide during the Backstage Tour fundraising event.

I am delighted to be part of this esteemed organization, and I look forward to continuing to support initiatives that will help keep opera a viable art form for generations to come.