Description

Russia's famous warriors, the Cossacks, renowned for centuries of song, bravery, horsemanship and fierce independence, live on today! Join us in a Cossack village and experience what it means to sing, dance and live in larger-than-life Cossack style.

For four centuries the Cossacks served as Russia's military caste - a trained elite who protected and expanded the borders of the Russian Empire. Under the tsars no Cossack man expected to die in his bed, live to old age, or see his grandchildren.

Perhaps it was this readiness to die for God, Tsar and country that gave Cossack culture its power and passion. Despite the drastic changes of the twentieth century, the great Cossack songs and fiery Cossack dances have survived. During our expedition we will record and film these amazing, powerful arts fierce songs of glory and battle, tender songs of love and longing, dance songs crackling with Cossack bravado, and the fiery dances interwoven with the singing.

If you speak Russian, you may end up conducting your own interviews to collect oral histories or tales of the supernatural. If you are learning Russian, this is a language immersion experience like nothing you'll see in Moscow. If you speak no Russian, the music and movement will still go straight to your heart, while translators fill you in on the lyrics. And all the while you'll be recording and filming under the guidance of an English-speaking Russian folklorist, and surrounded by traditional Cossack hospitality.

We will also be in time to see a special event the local horse races, held at Belaya Kalitva - every autumn. Cossacks have been renowned for centuries for their horsemanship, and these skills are still on display. We will have a chance to enjoy the colorful show!

But the best part is this: you're not just a tourist. The films and recordings you make will be more than just your souvenirs - they will live on in the folklore archive of the prestigious Gorky Institute of World Literature in Moscow, Russia. Your summer adventure will yield an invaluable store of information for folklorists, ethnomusicologists, linguists and scholars of the future. And, of course, a treasury of memories for you!

Highlights

Immersion in village life, walking the historic steppes of southern Russia, an evening swim in the river -- these are all memorable. But most precious of all are the connections you will make with the villagers themselves. Here is a description from a 2010 expedition participant:

"In the course of ten short days, I went from being an American among a village of strangers to a member of a vibrant community. It never ceases to amaze me how open Russian hearts can be, giving their guests everything imaginable - housing, milk, transportation...even a 3+ foot catfish one day!"

Travel Types

• Dancing
• Homestay
• Language Immersion
• Native Culture Studies

Qualifications

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old (younger teens may be accepted when accompanied by an adult). They must be in good physical and emotional health, able to carry all their own luggage and adapt to life in a Cossack village (intermittent electricity, carrying water from a well, cuisine based on what is locally available, using pit toilets). Flexibility, patience and good teamwork skills a must!

Expedition working languages are Russian and English. No knowledge of Russian required.

Languages

• English
• Russian

Cost in US$:

USD 2,600

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The USD 2,600 fee covers all costs for food, travel and housing for the duration of the expedition. Other expenses (souvenirs, travel to the rendezvous point in Moscow and travel home from Moscow), are the volunteer's responsibility.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Most of our volunteers are adventurous types from North America or Europe. Ages range from 18-80. Few speak Russian or have any academic background in folklore. Most speak English. For most this is the first trip to Russia. (Exceptions are our repeat volunteers, some of whom are on their sixth or seventh expeditions!).

Age Range

18 and older, younger teens with adult accompaniment

This Program is open to

American and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2-3

Application Process Involves

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

American Friends of Russia Folklore's Mission Statement

To support and promote American understanding of Russian traditional life and culture. To this end, AFRF supports a wide range of projects: field research, recordings, film making, archiving, and analysis of Russian folklore and oral histories.

Year Founded

2007