Kalinka

_{Due to the COVID-19 all of our public events are currently cancelled}

The goal of the Festival is to enrich the quality of life for residents of Western Massachusetts by cultivating an appreciation of the art and culture that was brought to the United States by generations of Russian speaking refugees and immigrants. The festival raises awareness about the Russian speaking immigrant community, its roots and multicultural background of over a dozen different countries including Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and others. Festival KALINKA increases intercultural competence, helps to retain and promote cultural diversity, and encourages participation in community cultural life.

LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BECOME OUR EVENT SPONSOR!

The festival serves as a unique tool for MRC’s outreach and educational efforts. It offers an opportunity for various human services organizations to directly reach out to the Russian speaking community through vendor participation, stage announcements, and various educational events during the festival. Organizations that took advantage of this unique opportunity were able to educate this hard-to-reach population about health subjects (Mercy Medical Center, Baystate Medical Center), prevention of Medicare fraud and abuse (SHINE Program, SMP Program), access to health services (MassHealth’s Boston Medical Center Health Net Plan), child care for needy families (Square One), access to education (Westfield State University, Bay Path University), trade training (Electric Union), domestic violence (Women’s Shelter Companieras) and others. MRC utilizes the Festival to educate the Russian speaking community about MRC’s services and programs such as naturalization assistance, ESOL and Civic classes, social adjustment services, translation and interpretation services, job preparedness, financial literacy and other.

KALINKA’s opening ceremony traditionally became a platform where public elected officials can reach out to the Russian speaking community, meet and talk with the community leaders, and therefore, create cross-communication for community problem solving.

Additionally, the Festival KALINKA has an economic impact on the local community. Local businesses find the festival to be a very helpful forum in reaching out to the Russian community that is considered to be a second fastest growing sector in the area. Businesses that provide goods and services to the Festival also benefit through selling their services. Come and join!

~KALINKA 2019 GALLERY~

~KALINKA 2015 GALLERY~

---

The Festival KALINKA creates both tangible (number of attendees, sponsors, vendors, educational events and subjects discussed, est.) and intangible values (enriching the quality of life, appreciation of different cultures, broadening cultural horizons, increasing community engagement, est.). In addition, The Festival KALINKA creates an opportunity for different generations to share together an enriching and joyful experience of arts, culture, music, fun and food.

To increase the cost effectiveness and improve our marketing and outreach strategies, MRC works in coordination and collaboration with our long-term partners: Jewish Family Services, Ascentria Care Alliance, Ahiska Turkish Community Center, and Refugee and Immigrant Consortium of Western Massachusetts.

Thank you to our sponsors!