2003 Press Releases
American Corner gives new opportunities to Omsk region
October 15, 2003
Scott Rauland, U.S. Consul General in Yekaterinburg, presided over the official opening of the American Corner in Omsk on October 15th, 2003. Rauland was stepping in for Ambassador Vershbow, who was unable to fly into Omsk due to persistent heavy smog conditions caused by a trash fire near Omsk.
The American Corner in Omsk is 20th in a family of American Corners in Russia. It is located at the Omsk Regional Public Library named after Pushkin, and its book collection includes 1,000 volumes. Scott Rauland, together with Omsk Vice Governor Yevgeniy Vdovin, , and Library Director Raisa Tsareva, gave opening remarks highlighting the importance an American library in Omsk. “The American Corner will provide Omsk students, English language teachers, businessmen, journalists, and other citizens with open access to up-to-date information about the USA promoting mutual understanding between our two countries,” said Scott Rauland.
Over 50 guests, including Omsk Oblast and city officials, USG alumni, Universities’ presidents, Theatres, libraries, and museum managers, and journalists, attended the American Corner opening. After a ribbon cutting ceremony Scott Rauland had a brief tour at the American Corner and co-located IATP site. American Corner Director Yury Tsarev noted that the American Corner has already attracted strong attention especially from university students and USG exchange program alumni who see the Corner as a great opportunity to meet each other.
A reception to celebrate the American Corner opening gathered some of Omsk's many alumni from the Community Connections, Business for Russia, Open World, TEA, PIE, Fulbright, IV, and FSA programs. The Corner opening kicked off a day of meetings and discussions at the library, including an extended Q&A session with about 200 Omsk university students, a roundtable with NGO leaders, and a a discussion with alumni of the FLEX exchange program for high school students.