This event has been postponed.
The tentative new date is 18 April 2021.
All registrations for 2020 are being refunded.
Volga German Institute
Seminar Series
"Volga German Life"
19 April 2020
Fresno, California
As part of its celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the Volga German colonies in Russia, the Volga German Institute at the University of North Florida is hosting a seminar series entitled "Volga German Life" at the Piccadilly Inn on Shaw in Fresno, California.
The public is invited to attend.
Registration
Early Registration: $50 per person if you register on or before 1 April 2020.
NOTE: There are a limited number of seats available for this event, and it has sold out quickly in past years - so register early!
Regular Registration: $60 per person for registrations received after 1 April 2020 or at the door (there are a limited number of seats available for this event, so please check with Susie before showing up at the door).
To register & pay by credit/debit card, please follow this link. [Add each person to "the cart" separately, then follow instructions for payment.]
If you prefer to pay by check, print the Registration Form, and mail it along with your check. To qualify for the Early Registration rate, payment must be received by Wednesday, April 1.
If you have special dietary requests or any questions, please call Susie at 904.620.2579.
[Note: There is no discount for partial attendance of this event. Notice of cancellation on or before 1 April 2020 will receive a full refund; after 1 April 2020 will receive no refund.]
Location
This event will be held at the Piccadilly Inn on Shaw in Fresno, California.
On their complex, we will be in the Event Center "behind" the main building.
2305 W. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, California 93711
559.348.5520
Parking: free on-site parking
Speaker
Dr. Mai serves as the Dean of the Library at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville where he also leads the Volga German Institute. Dr. Mai has spoken world-wide on many topics related to Volga German history and culture. Dr. Mai, whose father's side is Volga German, grew up in Western Kansas, graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, and continued graduate studies at George Washington University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Vanderbilt University.
Schedule for Sunday, 19 April 2020
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Registration & Visiting |
| 9:00 - 9:45 | Session 1: Introduction to the Volga Germans and their Heritage
Everyone starts on a different page when it comes to their knowledge of who the Volga Germans are and how they came to be in Russia. This session will bring all attendees to the same place in that understanding - and we'll carry on from there.
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| 10:00 - 11:30 | Session 2: A Day-In-The-Life of the Volga Germans
What was daily life like among the Volga Germans? How did they run their households? What did they eat and what did they wear? We'll explore the daily life routines of our ancestors while they were living in Russia.
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| 11:30 - 1:30 | Lunch
Lunch is on your own (not included in the registration fee). There is a restaurant in the Hotel Piccadilly as well as many restaurants located along Shaw Avenue.
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| 1:30 - 2:45 | Session 3: Volga German Architecture
From their homes and farm yards to their churches and other public buildings, Volga Germans have a distinctive architecture that is uniquely Volga German. During this session, we'll look at the construction of buildings in the Volga German communities and trace some of their architectural elements that one can still find today round the world.
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| 2:30 - 3:15 | Session 4: Volga German Industries
From farming of wheat, tobacco, and sugar beets to sarpinka weaving, flour milling, and organ design, we'll delve into the economic backbone of our ancestral Volga German communities.
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| 3:30 - 4:30 | Session 5: Volga German Faith Practices
Through the centuries, faith practices have been an integral part of Volga German life. Approximately 70% of the original immigrants who settled the Volga German colonies were Protestant; the remainder Roman Catholic. During this session, Dr. Mai will lead a discussion into how our Volga German ancestors structured their lives around the faith practices of each colony. The uniqueness of how Adventism developed among the Volga Germans will also be explored.
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| 4:30 - 5:00 | Wrap-up
Time for final questions and farewells.
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Area Hotels
The Volga German Institute does not endorse any of these locations, but provides information about them because of their proximity to the event site.
Hotel Piccadilly
559.348.5520
Courtyard by Marriott
559.221.6000
Residence Inn by Marriott
559.222.8900
LaQuinta Inn & Suites
559.275.3700