The Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES) at the University of Kansas is delighted to hold its annual Spring Festival on Sunday March 2 at Lawrence’s iconic Liberty Hall from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
The festival, held around the time of the ancient Slavic holiday Maslenitsa, celebrates the coming of spring. The event brings Eastern European and Eurasian culture to Lawrence through music, dance, food, and crafts from the region. CREES will also give away door prizes throughout the event such as cookbooks, CREES swag, and art from Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
Those who attended the festival last year will recall the incredible dance performance by Mavka. CREES is thrilled to welcome them back to share Ukrainian folkdance and character dance. Their performance will start at 1:45pm.
Mavka is a Ukrainian dance company united in love for Ukraine, dance, and performing. They perform at festivals, fundraisers, schools, retirement homes, and other events year-round. The spring festival will also feature traditional Turkish music by Kansas City ensemble Jambaroque. Their performance will begin at 2:30pm.
If you’ve been to a CREES spring festival before, you know that the event would not be complete without bliny! CREES will serve free bliny (East European crepes) with a variety of toppings at the festival. Bliny are traditionally eaten around Maslenitsa. They are a symbol of the sun, and a tasty one at that!
The spring festival doesn’t just cater to foodies and lovers of the performing arts, however. The event also features a craft area for kids and art enthusiasts of all ages. Attendees will be able to make different crafts tied to Eastern European and Eurasian culture. Lawrence’s own Big Happy Photobooth will be returning this year, so in addition to bringing home a craft, festival goers can take home pictures of themselves engaging with cultural items. Check out some of CREES’ favorite photobooth pictures from last year:
The CREES Spring Festival is a free and family-friendly event open to everyone. Local support and interest in events like the CREES Spring Festival speaks to the Lawrence community’s interest in, support and celebration of other cultures, its curiosity, and fun-loving spirit. The event shares the beauty of Eastern and Eurasian cultures with the community with the added hope of inspiring more people to learn about this incredible region.
This year, the festival is funded in part by the Unmistakable Event Grant. CREES is incredibly grateful to the city of Lawrence for this funding. CREES would also like to thank the following local sponsors of the festival: Central Bank, Summit’s Steps Minerals, Checkers Foods, and the KU OLRC.
Based at the University of Kansas, the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies (CREES) has been a national leader for the study of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe since 1959. The center is an interdisciplinary hub that oversees undergraduate and graduate degree programs, helps train K-12 teachers and post-secondary educators, and shares its expertise with partners in business, media, the military, government, and the community.
For more information about CREES or the Spring Festival please visit facebook.com/ku.crees or crees.ku.edu.
Contact the CREES Outreach Coordinator, Dr. Megan Luttrell, at megan.luttrell@ku.edu with any questions.
