The fourth annual Festival of Russian Culture, “Living Wisdom of the Far North,” will be held later this month at Centennial Hall in Juneau. This event, organized and coordinated by the Alaska-Siberia Research Center, runs from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and includes local and visiting musicians and dancers, an art exhibition and other events.

In previous years the festival has also best known as the “White Nights” festival, a reference to festivals held in St. Petersburg and some northern Russian cities in the summers. Last year the event was held in Sitka, this year it returns to Juneau.

The festival calls attention to Alaska’s physical closeness to Russia and to the long-standing historical connection between the two land masses.

This year’s festival will begin with opening remarks by Alexander Dolitsky, chairman of the Alaska Siberia Research Center, Mayor Bruce Botelho, State Sen. Dennis Egan and the Russian Deputy Consul General, Nikolai Vinogradov. An anthem ceremony, featuring the United States and Russian Anthems as well as the Alaska Flag Song, will preceded the evenings performances, which begin at 4:30 p.m. Performances include local vocalist Kathleen Wayne, local violinist Steve Tada, Sitka-based music ensemble the SitNiks and dance group the New Archangel Dancers. Pianists Tatiana Scott and Nancy Nash will also perform.

Following the evening’s performances, an art exhibition will be on view, featuring work by Tamara Semenova of St. Petersburg, Russia and Leigh Rust of Victoria, Australia.

The Festival of Russian culture is and sponsored by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in DC; Russian Consulate in Seattle, Alaska LItho, Inc, Taku Smokeries, Alaskan Brewing Co and the City and Borough of Juneau.

For more information, visit aksrc.homestead.com or contact Alexander Dolitsky, of the Alaska Siberia Research Center, at adolitsky@gci.net.