Nostalgia & the Notion of Return & Exile Among Russian Émigrés

Abstract

On June 9, 2002, the reconstruction of a 17th century Russian bell-tower was officially opened in Hamilton. Though a few émigrés attended from Wellington, the majority of Russian immigrants were from the upper North Island. They were all gathered to enjoy the dedication of a bell, gifted by the city of Moscow. Russian architect, and immigrant, Sergey Mikhailovish Kolesnikov, who was project construction consultant, had inspired the specially designed tower. The event also included an art exhibition by talented Russian immigrants, a concert, Russian dancing, Russian food, and a good deal of spoken Russian. When recalling the celebrations in the July (2002:7) "Letters" column of the New Zealand Russian Monthly newspaper, "Wind" (eemep), émigrés waxed lyrical about what they had seen, heard and remembered.