Батьківщина у вигнанні

За підтримки земляцтва кримських татар м. Дніпро відбулася зустріч з політв’язнем, зам. голови Меджлісу кримських татар Ахтемом Чийгозом. Він розповів про ситуацію в Криму, як він її бачить і оцінює, про порушення прав людини, поділився своїми думками про окупантів Криму і оптимістичними прогнозами на майбутнє Криму.

В межах зустрічі відбулася презентація фотовиставки Анастасії Власової  Ця дівчина стала свідком другого вигнання кримськотатарського народу. Вона створила художню розповідь про життя трьох татарських родин на Львівщині. Відвідувачі заходу переглянули відеозвернення фотохудожниці.

Виставка експонувалася у бібліотеці в межах проекту «Мандрівна галерея», вона була надана культурним центром «Американський Дім», м.Київ.

Можливо ці фото надихнуть художників Дніпра сміливіше висвітлювати життя кримських татар. Є в ньому і сумні, і веселі, і смачні сторінки. Було приємно познайомитися зі студентками Медичної академії Султаніє Халіповою та Ельмаз Аблаєвою, випускником Університету залізничного транспорту Рефатом Аблязовим, підприємцями та іншими членами кримськотатарської громади у Дніпрі.

Бібліотекарі розуміють, щоб зберегти знання кримськотатарської мови, знадобляться підручники і книги. Була розгорнута виставка книг кримськотатарською мовою з фондів Відділу іноземних мов і літератури.

На кінець теплої зустрічі з Ахтемом Чийгозом відбувся обмін подарунками і сувенірами, фотосесія на пам'ять, обмін візитками.

Кількість учасників – 45 осіб.

Усенко Світлана:

Емоційний відгук юної Анастасії Анастасия Фесюра на зустріч з Ахтемом Чийгозом, заступником Голови Меджлісу кримськотатарського народу, що відбулася у Дніпропетровській обласній універсальній науковій бібліотеці.
Це була велика честь приймати такого гостя. І приємне хвилювання.
Любимо Крим, сумуємо за ним, чекаємо повернення Криму в Україну.
Хочемо допомогти тим, хто втратив батьківшину, і тим, хто облаштовується у Дніпрі зараз.
Бібліотека - це в першу чергу інформація. У другу - спілкування, нові друзі, ідеї, поради.

 

Анастасия Фесюра

Поистине, у каждого из нас свой фронт. В этом Ахтем Чийгоз несомненно прав. И касается это не только войны с Россией. Кто-то изо дня в день ведет борьбу против бюрократии, а кто-то сражается за права женщин, кто-то пытается добиться лучшей жизни для бездомных животных, а кто-то заступается за ветеранов АТО перед водителями. Я считаю, что очень важно уметь отстоять то, во что веришь, то, что считаешь правильным, в любой сфере жизни и любой ценой. Если вы смотрели фильм "Marshall", то знаете его заглавный саундтрек "Stand Up for Something", в котором есть следующие строчки :
You can't just talk the talk
You got to walk that walk, yes you do
It all means nothing
If you don't stand up for something
And I stand up for you
Я стою за многонациональность, за проявление уважения к другим культурам, за то, чтобы изучать не только самые распространенные в мире 5-10 языков. Я стою за каждого своего друга и подругу армянку, грузинку, кореянку, немку и т.д.
Я стою за Украину, которую однажды мой прадедушка, моя прабабушка и еще с десяток родственников смогли назвать своей Родиной.
Я стою за тех, кто может подавать правильный пример, вдохновлять и мотивировать, кто может лишь парой слов вселять в людей веру и оптимизм. Поэтому спасибо за приглашение, Эльвин Кадыров (Elvin Kadyrov)! Было очень интересно! Временами даже пробирало до мурашек и слез. Я услышала ответы на интересующие вопросы и смогла сложить некоторые пазлы. Надеюсь, это не последняя наша встреча в Днепре!

Window on America for junior students: “Grasshoppers Club” at WOA Dniprщ

«Window on America» for junior students: “Grasshoppers Club” at WOA Dnipro.
Young schoolchildren, members of the English speaking club "Grass-hoppers" had a pleasant surprise - the National Metallurgical Academy student Sergiy Barabash told them about his trip to a scientific conference in Germany.  Mr. Sergiy emphasized the importance of studying English, which is the language of international communication.  Knowing English makes international travel easier.
The official   club’s session was prepared by the WOA’s volunteer Hanna Motoryna. She checked the students’ homework and graded them. The session was dedicated to improving the auditing skills. New vocabulary was recorded in the notebooks.
The Club members particularly enjoyed the video tutorial from YouTube.
Number of participants – 6 (children and parents). 

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A unique surprise gift for Dnipro WOA

"Window on America" Center Dnipro received a unique surprise gift. Last year we sent some small size souvenirs to be taken to the International Space Station by Colonel Breznik. Among those souvenirs was a 2017 calendar with the WOA Dnipro’s logo.
The Calendar visited the International Space Station and returned back to WOA Dnipro. Colonel R. Breznik issued us a unique “Certificate of authenticity” for the “space travelling” calendar. We were amazed.
Event participants number – 400 people.

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Discussion on ecology

Meeting with foreign students at WOA Dnipro.
This afternoon the Wednesday Movie Club (Window on America center in Dnipro, Ukraine) was visited by a big group of the foreign students. That’s why we started with the introductions of the guests.
The session was educational for all generations of Wednesday Movie Club members.
Participants number – 25 persons.
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Music that builds bridges between cultures.

Patrons of the DOUNB Library and the "Window to America" Center are accustomed to various events that allow them to meet English-speaking guests of the city.

 But the meeting on October 30 was special - the US Embassy's diplomat Sean O'Hara visited us with an informal visit. Mr. O’Hara is a diplomat and cultural affairs attaché with the US Embassy in Ukraine, but he is also an amateur jazz musician. All afternoon Mr. O'Hara used the jazz language of his alto-saxophone, he learned to play it in school years. Besides he plays Hawaiian guitar and can perform a popular Ukrainian folk song "You tricked me!".

 Mr. Sean demonstrated a slide presentation which introduced the audience to jazz and its founding fathers – Ben Goodwin and Louis Armstrong; He performed selected musical fragments in which basic jazz elements (swing, syncopation and others) were demonstrated to the audience.

The real fun was an attempt to create a human jazz band (imitating the sounds of musical instruments). All the band members enjoyed the process, clapped their hands and smiled.

At the end of the session Mr. Sean answered the questions, told about himself, his life-long friendship with music and his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. He urged the group to monitor the ads and attend the show of the Broadway dance team that will visit Ukraine soon! Professional dancers can attend the casting and receive a chance to join the Broadway team.

The DOUNB Library director, Ms. Nadiya Titova city, gifted library memento’s to Mr. Sean to commemorate his visit to Dnipro city. A DOUNB Librarian Ms. Alexandra   performed for him a violin number – a popular rock composition.

The meeting with the American diplomat was arranged in partnership with the Dnipro Academy of Music at the American Art Residence of DOUNB Library. It was a pity that only few students could make it to the session. Student Katerina Dyomina sang a popular jazz piece.

The JAZZ event participant experienced no language barriers.

Mr. Sean talked to all the participants who came over to communicate with him. Several persons were complimented for their   good command of English. Knowledge of English these days is essential, especially now when Ukraine’s economic and social reforms are supported by the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia .

Photo by Svitlana Usenko and Galyna Shevtsova.

Participants number – 63 persons.

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Start of the “Activate English Group 7.0.”

This afternoon the Window on America Dnipro center started the new Express English - 7 course. The session was dedicated to the traditional phrases for meeting and greeting people.
The Window on America Dnipro center offers the library patrons an “Express English” activity that will help them to activate their passive knowledge of the foreign language and to overcome the fear of speaking in English. Ten two hour- lectures are offered for the participants to improve their conversational skills in pairs.
The professional EFL lecturer T. Gavryliuk combines the lexical exercises with important cross-cultural information that will help the English learners to understand their foreign counterparts better and to avoid awkward situations in communication.
The promotion of the “Express English” at the DOUNB library was supported by local media: the websites of the city news, the Oblast State Administration site, and FB.
The new patrons were informed about the DOUNB’s resources and modern services.
 

The highlight of the lesson was a visit of the US guest – Mrs. Tamara. She talked about the “Do”s and “Don’t”s  of the introductions in  the USA and  gave  expert advice on composing texts “Introducing myself”.
The new patrons were invited to join other WOA’s activities – Wednesday Movie Club and the “Gabfest” Speaking Club on Saturdays.
Improve you English language skills at the DOUNB Library!
Number of participants – 40 persons.

WOA’s New Partner – SOROPTIMIST Dnipro

This afternoon WOA’s long-time volunteer Mr. Joseph introduced us to a new partner – the Dnipro filial organization of the SOROPTIMIST International and its Head – Ms. Svitlana.
Founded in 1921 in Oakland, California, United States, SOROPTIMIST International (SI) is a worldwide volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. The organization seeks equality, peace, and international goodwill for women.
The organization comprises approximately 95,000 members in more than 125 countries and territories worldwide who contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects. Soroptimist members belong to local clubs, which determine the focus of service to their communities.
The name "Soroptimist" was coined by combining the Latin words soror "sister" and optima "best", and can be taken to mean "best for women".
The WOA Dnipro staff arranged a DOUNB Library Tour for Mr. Joseph and Ms. Svitlana. We hope for the future partnership and cooperation with this international community of people.
Participant number – 3  persons.
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Zoreslav Baydiuk at Window on America center in Dnipro, Ukraine.
The «Voice of America» Ukrainian service has a unique opportunity to convey to its audience in Ukraine the first hand information about the life in the United States. Mr. Zoreslav Baydiuk and other reporters travel to the most remote corners of the country and show real life America.
At the meeting Mr. Baydiuk featured the video sketches series «America. Off the Highway».
The guests watched   the videos with curiosity and asked a lot of questions afterword.
The Dnipro audience’s feedback was very important for Mr. Baydiuk. The «Voice of America» wants to know the opinion of the Ukrainian public, what topics would be interesting for the Ukrainian viewers. The «Voice of America» journalists appreciate the viewers’ thoughts; they will take them into account during the creation of new “Voice of America” programs.

These programs contribute to the understanding between Ukraine and the United States, after watching them Ukrainians become more informed, more tolerant and friendly.
Participants number – 80 persons.

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streem 

American Art becomes Closer with Voice of America

A big group of Dnipro "Window on America" patrons watched a film about the American art. Art is the driving force of social processes; it helps to combat negative phenomena and to draw attention to global social problems.
The highlight of the film was a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Visiting this world known museum online was a wonderful option for people who live on another continent!
Number of viewers – 30 students of the "Basic English" Express Course.
Presenter and pictures: S.Usenko.

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Presenting your Home Country and Town

What would you tell Americans about Ukraine and your hometown? Window on America Dnipro (Ukraine) continues its partnership with the local secondary school № 22.
The 7th year students and their teachers attended the WOA’s presentation about cross-cultural communication: how to present our home country Ukraine and our home town Dnipro.
The bright and smart kids answered quiz-like questions, demonstrated creative thinking and local history knowledge. They were impressed by the new fun facts about Ukraine that were presented in a slide show. Active participants got souvenirs with Dnipro WOA logo.
The group was offered new vocabulary to describe Ukrainian traditions and Dnipro city’s tourist attractions. Now the students are ready to present Ukraine to the world community!
The second part of meeting was an exploration of SMART board. All students enjoyed lexical games.
Participants number – 31 persons.

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