A group of Russian students with Russian Intern Natalia Kuznetsova visite d "Spotlight on Russia" Feb. 24, the event organized by the University of Evansville. They  brought together the premier Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko; his English translator and Poet James Ragan; and Russian business expert Kevin McKenna; along with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra's "Shades of Shostakovich" event – featuring Yevtushenko reading of his poem, "Babi Yar."

 The students visited three main events: the lecture of Professor Kevin McKenna, who presented "The Kleptocratic State: Crime and Corruption in Vladmir Putin’s Russia; Question and Answer Session featuring the premier Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko; and Poetry Reading featuring Poet and Translator James Ragan, director of the University of Southern California Writing Program; and the premier Russian Poet Yevgeny  Yevtushenko. 

At the lecture they got up-to-date information about modern Russia from one of the best American experts on contemporary Russia. The perfect end of the immersion into the world of Russian politics and culture was the poetic reading. Wabash students were fascinated by the brilliant duet of two talented poets whose performance was a special treat.

Kuznetsova is a Wabash College Russian Teaching Assistant.