New Year’s Celebration, 2026!
Every year the Russian Area collaborates with the Russian Club, “Skazka,” to hold the one of the most popular and important celebrations for the Russian-speaking community: The New Year. This UMBC celebration unites those on campus who trace their linguistic and cultural heritage to Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia and many other former Soviet republics. The event is welcoming for all members of the UMBC community, as students and professors share their New Years traditions, favorite recipes, enjoy music and celebrate old and new friendships. Father Frost and his granddaughter, Snegurochka, usually pay a visit!
Russian Area Tandem Partnership with Tallinn University, Estonia
In November 2025, Professors Kapitoina Fedorova and Natalia Tsuikina from Tallinn University, Estonia joined UMBC Russian Area students to share their research. Throughout the academic year, UMBC Russian Area students collaborated with students from Tallinn University to enhance their language skills and cultural understanding. The Tandem Project is an exciting and ongoing opportunity, coordinated at UMBC by Dr. Vera Kastrel, for our students. Thank you Drs. Fedorova and Tsuikina for sharing your research with our students! We encourage all of our Russian language students to take advantage of this cross-cultural activity and meet students from Estonia.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to our graduating seniors of 2025! From Left to Right: Aidan Hunter, Petra Janka, Olivia Reichardt, Carter Lemen, and Daniel Nawaz. Petra Janka also received the Angela Moorjani Award for Excellence in Language Skills.
URCAD Presenters
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) is a UMBC event where students have an opportunity to present their research to the UMBC community.
Student Activities
The Russian Club at UMBC offers a space for students to connect through language and culture at any level of experience. We host events throughout the year, including Maslenitsa, a Slavic festival marking the end of winter, and Winter Socials featuring music, food, and games. Whether you’re deeply familiar with the culture or just curious to learn more, you are welcome to take part.
Holiday Celebrations
The Russian Club celebrates campus holidays with festive events that bring people together through culture and tradition. Highlights include Maslenitsa, a lively Slavic holiday marking the end of winter, and our Winter Socials, featuring music, food, and games.
Beauty Will Save the World
Beauty Will Save the World stands as a shining example of what the UMBC Russian Club brings to campus—an elegant winter celebration that once transformed the university into a stage for global culture. Featuring over 80 performers, the event blended music, dance, and storytelling in an unforgettable journey of beauty and imagination.
