By AMY ROGERS RENSBERGER
Goshen News Accent Writer
A group of Russian musicians and dancers are touring the area in an effort to raise funds for a children's cancer hospital back home.
Yarmarka, a folk music ensemble, has scheduled several public performances through Oct. 12. The premier performance is slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Elco Theater, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart (see sidebar for a full schedule of events).
The colorful dancers, singers, and orchestra musicians performed Sunday at Westview High School and Tuesday at Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen.
In addition the group is visiting schools throughout Elkhart County - children of Westview School Corp. were treated to a show Thursday, as was North Side Middle School on Tuesday. Other school visits include West Side Middle School today and Memorial High School Thursday, both in Elkhart, Goshen Middle School on Friday, Fairfield High School on Oct. 8 and a joint performance for Lakeland Christian School and Grace Retirement Village in Warsaw on Oct. 10.
Olga Ziryanova, interpreter for the troupe, said the children have found the performances quite an experience.
"For the Amish kids, for example, I think it's something very special because they have never seen anything like that before," Ziryanova explained. "Maybe they will never travel abroad, so this is a way for them to experience people from different countries and their culture."
According to information about Yarmarka, the ensemble was organized in 1989 and is made up of about 30 men and women, aged 19 to 46, who live and work in the Russian city of Perm. Victor Kuzminor is the paid director, and all others are volunteers.
Goshen Contact
The group wound up visiting the area after Ziryanova met Goshen residents Kevin Koch, president of Koch Enterprises, and Pauline Yoder, Michiana area coordinator of the Josh McDowell ministry to Russia. Koch and Yoder were visiting Perm in 1994 during a mission trip with Josh McDowell ministry, and learned of Yarmarka through Ziryanova.
"There are many people in this area who never will have the opportunity of going to Russia," Yoder explained. "This is one way we can bring the Russian gifts to our community, so that Americans can be exposed to the Russians. I have come to realize more and more that the Russian people are just like American people, its just that unfortunately our government and economy has been different. Therefore, many Americans feel we're different in some way, but we aren't. We have the same joys and dreams for our families and our future."
It is hoped the trip to the United States will help the future of Russian children stricken with cancer. Proceeds from the performances will go to a hospital in Perm that specializes in the treatment of children's cancer and serves a regional population of 3 million.
"We'd really like to send them home with $50,000," Koch said Tuesday. "I think that would to equip the hospital and take care of the needs."
27 Appearances
The group is planning 27 appearances in the Michiana area to help reach this goal.
"In their first public performance in LaGrange County the response was enormous," Koch said. "I think we really moved them. I think people grasped what's going on at the hospital and what's being done as a joint effort between the Russians and the Americans.
"I do believe we can reach the goal if we can get the people there (at upcoming performances)," Koch continued. "Even taking away the whole project and their reason for being here, the show's incredible. Already they've had three standing ovations in the performances they've done already."
Regardless whether the financial goal is reached, area residents are packing up 31 cases of medical supplies for the performers to present to hospital on their return to Perm.
"In this community, there are thousands of people who have assisted with the humanitarian aid projects to Russia through Josh McDowell ministry," Yoder noted. "They've become very interested in the Russian people."
Public Performances
Thursday, 7 p.m. - St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church, 601 E. Vistula (Ind. 120), Bristol. An offering will be taken.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. - Elco Theater, 410 S. Main, Elkhart. Premier performance. Tickets: $12.50. For reservations, call 293-4469.
Sunday, 5:30 p.m. - First Church of God, 1317 Fairfield Ave., Goshen. An offering will be taken.
Oct. 8, 7 p.m. - Milford Elementary School, West Fourth Street, Milford. An offering will be taken.
Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. - O'Laughlin Auditorium, St. Mary's College, South Bend. For ticket reservations call 284-4625.
Oct. 10, 1:30 p.m. - Greencroft Senior Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen. Donations will be accepted.
Oct. 10, 7 p.m. - The Meeting House, north of the four-way stop on Ind. 5 in Shipshewana. Tickets: $12. For reservations call 768-4725.
Oct. 12, 8 and 10:45 a.m. - Jefferson Brethren Church, 58915 Ind. 15, Goshen.
Oct. 12, 3 p.m. - Village Event Center, 2626 Peddler's Village Road, Goshen. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 for children 12 and under. For reservations call 533-9723.