250 years of Volga German heritage

From 1764 to 1772, there were 106 German colonies established along the Volga River on the barren Russian steppe. To celebrate the 250th Anniversary (1766-2016) of the establishment of the colony of Yagodnaya Polyana in Russia, the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University is hosting a seminar series at The Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth, Washington on April 27-29, 2016. Registration is $125 per person. The public is invited to attend.

Dr. Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University in Portland, Ore., will be one of the speakers of the day. He has spoken world-wide on many topics related to Volga German history and culture.

Mai, whose father’s ancestors emigrated from the German colonies along the Volga River, grew up in Western Kansas and holds degrees from Bethany College (Kansas), George Washington University, the University of Texas at Austin and Vanderbilt University. He has served as the center’s director since it was founded in 2004. Featured presenter Dr. Richard Scheuerman of Seattle Pacific University will host an interview with HRH Tsarina Catherine the Great herself! On Wednesday, April 27, the first of 14 seminar sessions will begin at 1 p.m .: (1) Genealogy Resources for Volga Germans; (2) Genealogy Workshop; (3) An Interview with Catherine the Great; (4) Introduction to the Volga Germans; (5) “Yagaders”:Where Did They Come From?; (6) The Journey to Russia; (7) History of Berry Meadow; (8) Our Canadian Cousins; (9) The Geography of the Volga Germans; (10) Culinary Traditions of the Volga Germans; (11) Volga Germans of South America; (12) Harvest Heritage; (13) Büdingen: The Gathering Place and (14) 1941 Deportation: The Trek to Siberia. The event will conclude at noon on Friday.

For more information about the event, including parking, hotel accommodations and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the event website at: cvgs.cu-portland.edu/events/2016Apr27.cfm. To register at the advance registration rate, visit cu-portland.edu/cvgs-event-registration or call Tanya at 503.493.6369.

The Center for Volga German Studies was founded at Concordia University in 2004. This Center is the only one of its kind in the world and supports research into and preservation of the heritage, history, traditions and accomplishments of the Volga Germans and their descendants. Its collections include personal papers of numerous researchers along with historical documents, photographs, church records, books, journals and maps. The Center seeks knowledge and understanding of the relevance of Volga Germans yesterday, today and tomorrow. [cvgs.cu-portland.edu]

Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university located in Portland, Ore., with a mission to prepare leaders for the transformation of society. Founded in 1905, Concordia University – Portland serves more than 9,000 students through its College of Education, College of Health & Human Services, College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences, School of Law and School of Management. [www.cu-portland.edu]