One Man's Dream of Sharing Russian Culture

>Uli Zislin is a man of great passion. As I was leaving his Museum, he handed me a guest book and I found myself writing:

“Your dedication is inspiring. When people love something and share, the world is a better place.”

Thirty years ago in Moscow, Mr. Zislin received three books of poetry as a gift from his wife. He has been collecting ever since. In 1997, he founded the Washington Museum of Russian Poetry and Music in his apartment in Rockville. Every available space is filled with books and artifacts on Russian culture including over 200 cassettes and films. He avidly introduces the five Russian Poets of the Silver Age in his collection Tsvetaeva, Mandelstam, Pasternak, Akhmatova, and Gumilev. With portraits, words, and true feeling, he tells their stories and provides English translations of their work.

He has written music for over 100 Russian poems. While playing his guitar he sang Talisman by Pushkin for me. Although I studied Russian many years ago, I read along in English and felt the emotion of his music and voice. He brings poetry to life. He self-taught himself piano and would play with his son. When his son was busy with his own family, Mr. Zislin learned guitar so he could perform by himself. He has shared his music in over 400 performances all over the United States from New York to San Francisco, as well as in France, Canada, Georgia, and Israel. He’s available to play for groups. He also has songs for kids which he wrote years ago for his own children.

Mr. Zislin has a dream. He dreams of a permanent place to house the Museum. His greatest desire is to share Russian culture, literature, sculpture and poetry with everyone in America. America has given him a good life and he wants to help. He doesn’t want to emphasize government and politics, but rather the culture. He believes it is good for our soul, minds, and emotions. He is right.

People from all over the world send him between 100-200 gifts per year. His collection continues to grow with books, mini-books, stamps, wooden spoons, posters, and bells. He has very complete collections of books by each poet and anthologies about their work. This is the beginning of a real library. If you have an interest in helping him find a public place to expand, contact him and join the dream.

The public is welcome at these upcoming performances:

September 27 and 28, 2008 in Olney Theatre.
Bell Cantantis 5th Anniversary Concerts. Phone: 301/266-7546, 301/468-8682.

Sunday, October 5, 2008. 2 PM The 13th Tsvetaeva Bonfire.
Near Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville.
Enjoy the music outdoors with a nice fall bonfire.

Should you go, meet Mr. Zislin, and hear his music? “Da!”

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