A Russian shindig

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It has been said of Ambassador Vladimir Polenov that he is one of the most accomplished members of the diplomatic community serving here in Jamaica. And little wonder, as the accomplished linguist is, by far, not only well-schooled in the art of international diplomacy, but as Russia's first citizen here has distinguished himself as a Renaissance man. He possesses a deep and abiding love for his country; an appreciation for and of its history; and is a fabulous host with an international overview and grasp that makes him the quintessential ambassador.

So, no surprises here that, on the 23rd anniversary of Russia's National Day, Ambassador Polenov and his wife, Alla Fedorova, who had only just arrived days before, threw what was truly a fabulous diplomatic shindig to commemorate the historic occasion.

A part of the beauty of the occasion was the historic ties between Russia, (when it was the USSR) and Jamaica - the educational facilitation it provided; the burgeoning business ties between both countries, and the social exchange this facilitates.

And so it was that, on June 12, the diplomatic and social epicentre in Kingston was the very chic Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, on Waterloo Road.

Well, my dears, talk about pomp and circumstance! Well, this was that, and then some. Dressed in his official regalia, the ambassador and his wife warmly welcomed guests to the Venetian Pavilion, and there was no escaping the personal warmth exuding from the couple which made for a simply fabulously civilised outing!

And, as was to be expected, this was no ordinary reception. This was in essence, a celebration of Russia, her rank import in the world, at one level, and on another, the celebration of years of friendship and cooperation between Russia and her host country, Jamaica, and how!

To begin with, Russia was on show in the form of a fabulous photographic exhibition documenting Russia's journey, as well as her beauty, and it made for a much more interesting and colourful backdrop to what was a cocktail hour totally abuzz.

And cocktails they were aplenty, highlighted by Russian vodka. And when hors d'oeuvres were offered, this, too, was primarily a celebration of mother Russia. All in all, it all made for one truly fabulous evening.

As was to be expected, there was a brief interlude to acknowledge the official nature of the outing. This saw the launch of the Jamaica, Russian Friendship Society; Ambassador Polenov, delivering his address in three languages; and Minister Phillip Paulwell responding on behalf of his colleague A.J. Nicholson, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade who was overseas. But with cocktails aplenty and haute society out in fab and celebratory numbers, y'all know we are talking one fabulous night here!

And that it was, my dears, that it was! Among those spotted were Phillip Paulwell, minister of science, technology, energy and mining; Minister of Labour Derrick Kellier; Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Arlando Brown; former Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch and wife Doreen; former Mining Minister James Robertson and wife Charlene; Dr Ossie Harding and wife Custos of St Andrew Marigold, and Ambassador Evadney Coye. Also out were Director of Tourism John Lynch; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Cuban Ambassador Yuri Gala-Lopez and his wife Yaima Gala; American Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater and husband the Reverend Russell Awkard. Charge de Affaires of the United States Embassy, Dr Raymond Brown and wife Esther; Japanese ambassador Takase and his wife the lovely Sayoko Takase, and Spanish ambassador, the very charmingly beautiful Celsa Nuño and husband Alex Crowther. Also out was South African High Commissioner Mathu Joyini; Canadian High Commissioner Robert Ready; Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium Godlieve van den Bergh; Chilean Ambassador Eduardo Bonillo; Igor Dorofeef and his fabulous wife Elena; Honorary Consul of Iceland Robert MacMillan; Honorary Consul General of The Royal Thai Kingdom Thalia Lyn; Deputy Consul Captain David McRae; Honorary Consul of Austria Josef Forstmayr; Honorary Consul of Monaco Rear Admiral Peter Brady and wife Carol; Honorary Consul of Poland Irena Cousins and husband Leo; Honorary Consul of Lithuania Lois Sherwood; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barretto de Hunter; Honorary Consul of Finland Andrew Issa; Honorary Consul of Costa Rica Lisa McGreggor Johnston and husband, Charley; Honorary Consul of the Philippines Everald Chin; Honorary Consul of Sweden Peter Goldson; Honorary Consul of Latvia Robert Scott; Mike and Peggy Fennell; the very affable bon vivant Charles Hanna; Dennis Lalor, and Professor Winston Davidson. Dr Warren Blake; Milton Samuda; celebrated gallery curator and art dealer Gilou Bauer; Nicola Crosswell-Mair; the fab Rosa Josephs; businessman Joey Issa; Dennis Morgan; hotelier Kyle Mais; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Mark Melville; Kent Gammon; Melizet Rodriquez; and head of the consular section of the Russian Embassy, the affable Andrey Dryakin; plus several other embassy officials and Russian nationals.

But there was no escaping the beauty of the evening and the fact that it was all about toasting and celebrating mother Russia!