Russian Cultural Centre?

Press release
7th July 2004
New Russian cultural centre planned for London.

"Forum Houses Limited, the registered charity responsible for Pushkin House at 46 Ladbroke Grove, has announced that it plans to sell the house in order to create a new Russian cultural centre in London.

For many years it has been clear that the house is a hugely under-used resource, whose significance to Russian culture now falls far short of the vision of its founders. Ideally the house would have provided a major focus for Russian culture in London and for Anglo-Russian cultural dialogue, but after a lengthy process of consultation, the Trustees of Forum Houses have concluded that the current premises are no longer suitable for these purposes. They have therefore decided to sell the house, and with the proceeds and the help and generosity of donors, to set up a new Russian cultural centre in London which will meet both the needs of the Russian community and of British people interested in Russian culture.

Pushkin House, which was founded in 1954 by Maria Kullmann and others as a gathering place for those interested in Russian culture, continues to house the Pushkin Club, a literary and cultural society, which meets in one of the rooms approximately 16 times a year. The other 10 rooms are used as low cost accomodation for students and academics who are mostly unconnected with Russian culture. The Trustees believe that times have changed since Pushkin House was originally set up: the resources generated from the sale of the House will be used to promote Russian culture in London on a far larger scale.

The Trustees wish to make it absolutely clear that they are and remain deeply committed to the ideals of Pushkin House and to serving Russian culture in Britain. Their sole aim is not to squander the heritage of Pushkin House, but to create a new Pushkin House worthy of that heritage. The vision of a Russian cultural centre in London is not new, but has never been achieved. The sale of the house provides an unparalleled opportunity to turn this vision into a reality. The Trustees very much hope that this important initiative will have the enthusiastic support of the Russian community and of all who love Russian culture.

The Trustees include Bishop Basil, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain (Moscow patriarchate) and Simon Franklin, Professor of Russian Studies at Cambridge University. Irina Kirillova MBE and Kitty Stidworthy who were co-founders of the House and the Club along with Maria Kullmann are also Trustees.

The Trustees will be intensifying the consultation process with the Russian and British communities and would welcome inputs and contributions from individuals and organisations interested in becoming involved in this exciting project. Please contact the Trustees by emailing Simon Franklin on scf1000@cam.ac.uk or Brook Horowitz on Brook.Horowitz@Business-Interchange.com."