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April 5, 2002
Russian radio on the air
Program's volunteer production team mostly Jewish.
PAT JOHNSON REPORTER
Russian Vancouverites can now hear news and entertainment in their
own language, thanks to the volunteer efforts of a radio production
team, most of whom are Jewish.
There are about 30,000 Russian-speaking people in the Vancouver
area, many of whom have immigrated in the last decade or two. Of
those, conservative estimates are that 5,000 of those immigrants
may be Jewish. There are numerous newspapers geared toward this
audience, but Russian Voice is the first regular radio program
of its kind.
Running for an hour every Saturday morning, the program offers news
and politics from Russia, Canada and Israel, cultural news of interest
to Russians, interviews with a wide range of personalities and greetings
between members of the community.
Producer Alexandra Gerson volunteers her time in the evenings when
she is not working at the Jewish Family Service Agency. Some members
of the team, which includes her husband, Roman, often work all night
in the days leading up to the broadcast.
The first episode aired Feb. 2 and the feedback has been enormously
positive, Gerson said. For some people, the sound of the Russian
language has been a bright spot in the loneliness and isolation
that can come from being an immigrant struggling with an adopted
language.
"One woman wrote a poem for us about how she was waiting for
such a long time and now a Russian voice comes into her house,"
Gerson said.
"After the first show, we got so many calls from people,"
she said. That was a relief, because the lead-up was nerve-wracking.
"I was shaking physically before," Gerson said.
Humor helps, too. Gerson recently interviewed two top Russian comedians
who were in town. Simon Altov and Yefim Shifrin, who also happen
to be Jewish, brought laughs to a live performance and were featured
on the radio program.
In addition to entertainers, the show has hosted guests who provide
important information to the immigrant community. One feature told
listeners how to go about applying for a social insurance number
and medical coverage. In another episode, an immigration lawyer
fielded inquiries about gaining citizenship. Because of the popularity
of homeopathic medicine - or folk remedies - in Russia, the show
has addressed that field as well. In addition to such practical
advice, Gerson said, the show also helps inform people about events
that might be of interest, including the symphony and other concerts.
This is a deliberate effort to encourage people to get out and involved
in the cultural life of the city.
Gerson does many of the interviews, but the program is hosted by
Nikolai Rudenko and Ludmila Michailevich. Listeners have commended
the program for its professional production qualities, which belie
the show's volunteer-based origins.
Already, Gerson and her team are plotting expansion. They are having
trouble fitting everything into one hour and would like to double
to a second show. While the Saturday show tries to be all things
- news, entertainment, culture - Gerson envisions a Sunday show
as a relaxing exploration of Russian culture. For example, it could
have a greater emphasis on music and poetry.
Stoyan Petrov, another member of the volunteer crew, said that expansion
to another hour would require a lot more help from the community.
"We are a little, strong team," he said. "For this
great idea, we need support."
Russian Voice has been lucky so far. Gerson happened to mention
her idea to a member of the Jewish community and lamented that they
needed to find the money to pay the radio station in advance for
a year. David Stevens was so impressed with the idea that he funded
the project, even though he doesn't understand the language.
"I was shocked," said Gerson. "I don't have enough
words to thank him."
The program airs Saturdays, 10 a.m., on Fairchild Radio,
96.1 FM.
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