To Russia with love

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

The end of the '80s was a very momentous one in world history! It saw the spread of a pro-democracy revolution among what was then termed the communist block - largely Eastern European states - changed the face and geography of the world as it was known then, and rocked the Soviet empire to its core.

It has been argued that Mikael Gorbachev presided over the dismantling of the Russian empire, but the truth is the verdict is still out as to whether Gorbachev actually actively presided over it or he was just a passive bystander who followed his people and the Russian satellite states into the democratic storm that was transforming Europe!

For many, that was a lifetime ago. For others, thanks to those who fought the good fight for freedom, the world they now inhabit and celebrate, is devoid of the fears and snares of the Cold War.

Placed in context, the revolution of 1989 made the world a better place for all, but especially the Russians and Russia's former satellites.

To celebrate its new-found status as a member of the Independent League of Nations, on Wednesday (December 18), the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Polenov, joined Russians everywhere, in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the constitution of the Russian Federation. This took place in what was indeed an elegantly charming reception, hosted at the Venetian Suite of the charmingly fab, Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, on Waterloo Road. Dears, what a fab do it proved!

It was social prime time, as there were a number of leading dignitaries in attendance, drawn from leading politicos, the literati; the glitterati; and, of course, social and business arbiters; and it made for a swell outing and then some.

political catchphrases

Dears, there's no mistaking the zeal and love of country demonstrated by Russia's first citizen here. On each and every occasion, Ambassador Polenov has not just paraded used or tired political catchphrases or merely stood on ceremony when it comes to saluting or commemorating the strides and achievements of his country and its people. He has embraced each and every occasion with the gusto and celebratory hutzpah of a true and dedicated patriot. And in this respect, he shone like a beacon in doing so!

And so it was that their recent anniversary celebrations were no less. But every moment of it was a grand affair, worthy of a nation with a history and perspective which has made it one of the great nations of the modern world - a fact not lost on the many business, social, cultural and political leaders who joined the ambassador, his staff and fellow Russian residents here for the commemorative occasion!

My dears, this was not only a stately affair, but fabulously so, as whilst there was no denying the importance of the occasion, guests made it a very special outing, cognisant as they were of the import of the occasion and the historical

significance. And pumpkins, it made a sobering do!

And so it was, with stemware a-clinking; guests a-mingling; a brief address from the evening's host; and an equally brief response from our foreign minister, there was no mistaking the feeling and atmosphere of camaraderie that was the hallmark of the occasion. Amid all the laa-de-dah-ing and cocktail chit-chat, the official toast and response captured it all, and it made for a fabulous celebration!

Dears, it was good and then some, with among those out, sharing felicitations, reminiscences, premium cocktails, some fabulous finger foods and the spirit of the season of goodwill, being: Foreign Affairs Minister A.J. Nicholson; Industry Minister Anthony Hylton; Labour Minister Derrick Kellier; Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Arnaldo Brown; former Mining Minister James Robertson and wife, Charlene.

Francis Tulloch and his wife, Doreen; Ambassador Maxine Roberts; Director of Tourism John Lynch; Dennis Lalor; Mike Fennell; Kenneth Benjamin; Professor Winston Davidson; Dr Franklyn Johnston. Also out were: Chinese Ambassador Dong Xiaojun; Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Takase; Head of the EU Ambassador Paola Amadei and husband Jorge Garzon; French Ambassador Ginette de Matha; Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño and husband Alex Crowther; German Ambassador Josef Beck; Argentinean Ambassador Ariel Fernandez and his wife, Helene Hagen-Larsen; Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Lozano; Ambassador Jorge Enrique Constantino Gonzales of Panama; Head of the UNDP Dr Arun Kashyap; Elizabeth Martinez, H.K. Mohan, charge d'affaires at the High Commission of India; head of the consular section of the Russian Embassy, the dapper Andrey Dryakin; Fien Bundervoet, Robert McMillan and the lovely Deika Morrison; Paul Issa; Lois Sherwood; Captain Michael Lyn and his wife, Thalia; Robert Scott; Milton Samuda; Igor Dorofeef and his fabulous wife, Elena; Iberostar's Phillip Hofer; Richard Ferdinand of Tryall; Dr Laura Tanna; Nicola Croswell-Mair; Mark and Virginia Brooks; Dr Jonathan Greenland; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Brian George; hotelier Kyle Mais; Miss Jamaica Universe, Kerrie Baylis; Jonathan Todd; songbird Nadine Sutherland; Mark Harris and his daughter, the lovely Crystelle Harris; Angus and Christine Gordon; Roger Hinds and the fab Marisa Benain; Germaine Deans and his wife, the stunning Novlet Green-Deans; the charming Melizet Rodriquez; the charming Rose Icilda Black; fashionista Pauline Edie; Joyceline Easy-Shakespeare; the charming Anastasia Makara, and a number of others!

But my dears, what a beautiful reception it was!