The mayor of New York gave a reception in honor of Russian-speaking immigrants. A PHOTO

11 June New York Mayor Bill de Blasio hosted a reception for the Russian-speaking residents of New York as part of Month of Russian Heritage.

Photo: Flickr / nycmayorsoffice

The predecessor of the current head of the city, Michael Bloomberg, began arranging such receptions. De Blasio continued the tradition and once again invited representatives of the Russian-speaking community to his residence in the Gracie mansion, reports “Voice of America".

“Good evening!” de Blasio greeted the crowd in Russian. what caused a storm of applause in the hall.

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Traditionally, such receptions mark the beginning of the Month of Russian Heritage, which 17 has been spending years in New York Russian-American Foundation led by Marina Kovaleva.

“Under former Mayor Bloomberg, we created this event. There are not many events in the city that are inherited from mayor to mayor. And we are glad that today, precisely in this situation, when every politician seemingly wants to stand aside from the “Russian theme,” hundreds of the best representatives of the Russian-speaking community have gathered here,” noted Marina Kovaleva.

Singer Regina Spector, Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio and President of the Russian-American Foundation Marina Kovalev (from left to right). Photo courtesy of Russian American Foumdation

During his speech, de Blasio said that Russians have “the hottest baths, the coldest vodka”, and that they “write the longest novels”.

“The greatest city on Earth has a slight Russian accent, doesn’t it?” - de Blasio joked, adding that the Russian-speaking community has become an integral part of New York.

“There are so many creative people among you, artists in the broad sense of the word, who multiply the strength and greatness of our city,” said the mayor.

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Among creative people who immigrated from the countries of the former Soviet Union, de Blasio singled out Regina Spector, the singer, who recorded 7 albums in the USA and is now preparing her Broadway debut. The mayor of New York handed her an official proclamation, proclaiming this day in the city as Regina Spector's day.

The singer noted that she was very pleased to have her day in New York. The singer was born in Moscow, grew up in the Bronx and considers Russian cultural roots to be an important component of her life and work.

Bill de Blasio and Regina Spector. Photo courtesy of Russian American Foumdation

Among the guests of the evening were also Russian speakers. representatives of the police of New York.

“We grew up here, they brought us here when we were little. Me at 5 years old. We grew up in this city, we love it and we just wanted to give the city something from our side, to give something back to America, because we live here and we feel very good here,” said police officer Nikolai Turco, explaining his choice of profession.

ForumDaily Commercial Director Marina Baranchuk and Bill de Blasio. Photo: the press service of the mayor of New York

In conclusion, de Blasio thanked the immigrants for keeping their native language for the next generations, and Regina Spector sang the song of Bulat Okudzhava to the guests.

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