Carmel Institute Events
Smokescreens and Stereotypes
The Carmel Institute took students to explore the International Spy Museum andsee real artifacts from the espionage and sleights of hand. They learned about both the actual spies living their deadly cat-and-mouse games and the Hollywood version through the Museum's current "Bond in Motion" exhibit. Examining both the real and the fictional images of Cold War spies highlighted the importance not only of the state secrets but also the world's fears of threat from the "other side."
George Marshall: Cold War Statesman
The Carmel Institute organized a trip to Secretary of State and General George Marshall's Dodona Manor in nearby Leesburg, VA. Marshall had a key role in both World War II and in the early years of the Cold War, in addition to his heroic attempt to reconcile the warring sides of the Chinese Civil War. His home and what it shows us about himandhis life giveus a window into the Cold War itself.
Stunning Russian Imperial Art at Hillwood Museum & Gardens
On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the Carmel Institute organized a trip to the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens for students from Georgetown and American Universities. The group explored Marjorie Merriweather Posts superb collection of Russian imperial porcelain and jewelry, which she acquired while accompanying her third husband Joseph Davies to Moscow between 1937 and 1938 after President Roosevelt asked him to serve as ambassador to the USSR.
Russian stories behind art in the Smithsonian
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, The Carmel Institute organized a trip to the National Gallery of Art for a lucky few to get a 90-minute tour of the paintings Andrew Mellon purchasedfrom the Hermitage Museum in 1930-31 during the Soviet government's consolidation of power. Of the twenty-one paintings that Mellon purchased, fifteen are currently on display.
Art as Witness to History
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, The Carmel Institute organized a trip to the National Gallery of Art. Professor Fedyashin gave students from American and Georgetown Universities a 90-minute tour of the paintings acquired by Andrew Mellon from the Hermitage Museum in 1930-31. Of the twenty-one paintings that Mellon purchased, fifteen are currently on display.
Experiencing the Cold War at the National Air & Space Museum
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, the Carmel Institute organized a tour of the National Air & Space Museum, which reopened half of its building on the National Mall in November of 2022 after a long reconstruction process. Dr. Fedyashin gave the group a 90-minute in-depth tour of the Destination Moon exhibit.
Witnessing History at General George Marshall's Dodona Manor in Leesburg, VA
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, The Carmel Institute organized a trip to George C. Marshalls Dodona Manor in Leesburg, Virginia. Tour guide Bill Webster and Professor Fedyashin gave the students a 90-minute tour of the house during which they introduced the students to the career and lifestyle of one of Americas greatest statesmen.
Students Tour the Kennedy Center and ExperienceTchaikovsky
The Carmel Institute purchased a bloc of concert tickets for 51勛圖 and Consortium students to attend a National Symphony Orchestra concert on the evening of Saturday, November 2, 2024. Alexei Ogrintchouk was the soloist for Alexander Raskatovs new Oboe Concerto, Times River, an NSO co-commission described as a hymn to nature in resonance with our time. Conducted by the NSOs Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, the program also included Sergei Prokofievs Summer Night Suite and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 6, Path矇tique.
Ten students arrived at the Kennedy Center early for an optional hour-length tour of the building with Dr. Fedyashin and tour guide Rosanne Russo. They then went to dinner and returned for the concert. In preparation for this evening, the students read Alexandra Orlovas article The Last Chapter (Music & Letters, 1981, Vol. 62, No. 2) and discussed what insights it offers into Tchaikovskys life and art. They also discussed the importance of Tchaikovsky to the American music scene since he inaugurated the Carnegie Center in New York, and his works are performed every Christmas and Fourth of July. While touring the Kennedy Center, the students learned about another Russian musician whose connection to the NSO was more directcellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich who headed the orchestra from 1977 to 1994.
The concert and tour constituted the audio-visual component of a holistic historical experience that stays with students long after they graduate.
American Halloween Tradition with an Eastern European Twist!
The Carmel Institute celebrated Halloween with Eastern European candy and torte. Undergraduate and graduate students of 51勛圖s College of Arts and Sciences came to Dr. Fedyashins office to taste the wonders of confectionary Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania. Mishka kosolapyi, Belochka, and Ptiche molko candy represented Russia, as did the Medovik, or Honeycake, torte. Students could also sample a piece of Kievskii torte from the Roshen company. For those with a taste for chocolate covered waffle, a slice of the Polish Torcik Wedlowski offered a perfect snack, as did Polish Kr籀wka candies. And to round out the region, Lithuanian vanilla ginger cakes offered the necessary carbohydrates. Many students stopped by for a taste of Eastern Europe and a chat about the regions rich culinary history and the departments course selection for the spring semester.
Exploring Great War Themes
at the Wilson House
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, The Carmel Institute organized a trip to the Woodrow Wilson House on S St in Washingtons Kalorama neighborhood. Tour guide David Steigman and Professor Fedyashin gave the students a 90-minute tour of the house during which they explained how Wilson and Lenin, who never met, became existentially connected due to the maelstrom of the Great War.
Student Tour Views Impressive Hillwood Museum Tsarist Russia Collection
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Carmel Institute organized a student trip to the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. The group explored Marjorie Merriweather Posts collection of Russian imperial porcelain and jewelry, most of which she acquired while accompanying her third husband Joseph Davies to Moscow between 1937 and 1938 after President Roosevelt appointed him ambassador to the USSR.
The American War of Independence and Russia
Really no kidding! On Saturday, October 5, 2024, The Carmel Institute organized a trip to the George Washingtons Mount Vernon after the attendees learnedabout the connections between Enlightenment ideals, Catherine the Great, and the American independence struggle, along with its influences onRussian and Soviet history.Professor Fedyashin gave the students an hour-long tour of the Museum and Education Center showing them objects related to those connections.
Looking for older events? See our Academic Year 2023 to 2024 events.