Slavic Poetry Recital Contest
When: Sunday, April 2, 2023
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: Russian Orthodox Community Center
617 Sand Creek Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Admission: Free
The aim of the Contest is to revive children's interests in reciting poetry in public.
Participation in the Poetry Recital Contest can be a very rewarding experience for local students who love poetry. The Contest is dedicated to strengthening local communities through the art of Slavic poetry. The contest emphasizes the pleasure of reciting poems. There are numerous benefits to poetry recitals. Children have gained experience of standing and speaking in front of a group, building confidence, and overcoming shyness. Theydevelop public speaking ability. Recitation is the easiest way for children to do some public speaking. It cultivates writing skills. As children memorize well-written poems, they are storing in their minds templates and models of excellent writing which will serve them as they write themselves.
The contest is open to children and adults.
Contestants will recite one poem of their choice in any of Slavic languages, such as Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian. Three age Levels: 3-6 years of age, 7-12 years of age, 13 and up.
Learn Slavic language through a poem! Two Divisions: Native Slavic Speakers and Non-Native Slavic Speakers. “Native speakers” are contestants who use any of Slavic language at home. “Non-native speakers” refers to contestants whose home language is other than Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian. The winners will be determined by a panel of three judges.
Certificates of participation! The Prizes will be awarded!
The registration deadline is March 2 2023. Email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Winners will perform at the All Winners Concert on April 8 2023 at 1:00pm.
Share the Contest's Flyer. To download the Registration form clik here.
During the intermission a puppet show “Birthday Present for a Squirrel" .
The Winners of the Poetry Recital Conest 2020!
Native Speakers Young Children Level
Nina Lutsevich -1st place
Ernest Dmitriev - 2nd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -3rd place
Non-Native Speakers Children Level
Holly VanValkenburgh - 1st place
Gabriel Robinson - 2nd place
Samantha VanValkenburgh - 3rd place
Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Alik Verba - 1st place
Mikhail Militarev - 2nd place
Rita Rutina - 3rd place
Not-Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Brad Hawkins - 1st place
Joe Meschino - 2nd place
Robert Keesee - 3rd place
The Winners of the Poetry Recital Conest 2019!
Native Speakers Young Level (3-6years) Nicole Katsouba - 1st place Marina Timofeeva - 1st place
Vera Korableva - 2nd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -2nd place
Lesana Teslenko - 3rd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -3rd place
Junior Level (7-12)
Maxim Bolotnikov - 1st place
Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Alik Verba - 1 st place
Rita Rutina - 2nd place
Sophia Shalashova - 3rd place
Not-Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Brad Hawkins - 1st place
Joe Meschino - 2nd place
Paul Marr - 3rd place
Ths Winners of the Poetry Recital Contest 2018!
Native Speakers Division, 3-6 yrs.:
1st place: Maxim Bolotnikov, Lesana Teslenko
2nd place: Fyodor Lobastov and Vera Korableva
3rd place: Daniel, Benjamin and Jeremy Epstein
Native Speakers Division,13 yrs. and older:
1st place Igor Epshtein and Dennis Howard
2nd place: Alik Verba and Rita Rutina
3rd place: Tatiana Stepanets and Tatiana Deptola
Non-Native Speakers Division, 13 yrs. and older:
1st place: Joe Meschino*
2nd place: Nazeer Sarwar
3rd: Marisa Dreibelbis
Children contestants 2017
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The aim of the Contest is to revive children's interests in reciting poetry in public.
Participation in the Poetry Recital Contest can be a very rewarding experience for local students who love poetry. The Contest is dedicated to strengthening local communities through the art of Slavic poetry. The contest emphasizes the pleasure of reciting poems. There are numerous benefits to poetry recitals. Children have gained experience of standing and speaking in front of a group, building confidence, and overcoming shyness. Theydevelop public speaking ability. Recitation is the easiest way for children to do some public speaking. It cultivates writing skills. As children memorize well-written poems, they are storing in their minds templates and models of excellent writing which will serve them as they write themselves.
The contest is open to children and adults.
Contestants will recite one poem of their choice in any of Slavic languages, such as Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian. Three age Levels: 3-6 years of age, 7-12 years of age, 13 and up.
Learn Slavic language through a poem! Two Divisions: Native Slavic Speakers and Non-Native Slavic Speakers. “Native speakers” are contestants who use any of Slavic language at home. “Non-native speakers” refers to contestants whose home language is other than Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian. The winners will be determined by a panel of three judges.
Certificates of participation! The Prizes will be awarded!
The registration deadline is March 2 2023. Email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Winners will perform at the All Winners Concert on April 8 2023 at 1:00pm.
Share the Contest's Flyer. To download the Registration form clik here.
The Winners of the Poetry Recital Conest 2020!
Native Speakers Young Children Level
Nina Lutsevich -1st place
Ernest Dmitriev - 2nd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -3rd place
Non-Native Speakers Children Level
Holly VanValkenburgh - 1st place
Gabriel Robinson - 2nd place
Samantha VanValkenburgh - 3rd place
Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Alik Verba - 1st place
Mikhail Militarev - 2nd place
Rita Rutina - 3rd place
Not-Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Brad Hawkins - 1st place
Joe Meschino - 2nd place
Robert Keesee - 3rd place
The Winners of the Poetry Recital Conest 2019!
Nicole Katsouba - 1st place
Marina Timofeeva - 1st place
Vera Korableva - 2nd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -2nd place
Lesana Teslenko - 3rd place
Andrey Bolotnikov -3rd place
Junior Level (7-12)
Maxim Bolotnikov - 1st place
Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Alik Verba - 1 st place
Rita Rutina - 2nd place
Sophia Shalashova - 3rd place
Not-Native Speakers Senior Level (13 and Up)
Brad Hawkins - 1st place
Joe Meschino - 2nd place
Paul Marr - 3rd place
1st place: Maxim Bolotnikov, Lesana Teslenko
2nd place: Fyodor Lobastov and Vera Korableva
3rd place: Daniel, Benjamin and Jeremy Epstein
Native Speakers Division,13 yrs. and older:
1st place Igor Epshtein and Dennis Howard
2nd place: Alik Verba and Rita Rutina
3rd place: Tatiana Stepanets and Tatiana Deptola
1st place: Joe Meschino*
2nd place: Nazeer Sarwar
3rd: Marisa Dreibelbis
Children contestants 2017