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​
​Who We Are

Russian Cultural Center Samovar is a community organization that unites enthusiasts of Russian Folk Art, Russian Language, and Culture. Our mission is to promote vibrant Russian and Slavic Cultural Traditions. 

We are a family-friendly organization that brings together families from Acton-Boxborough and other communities in Eastern Massachusetts. We present our programs and workshops at Cultural Events, Festivals, Fundraising Events, Clubs, Schools, and Universities.

Russian Cultural Center Samovar has been involved with many local organizations:
  • Acton-Boxborough Schools; Acton, MA
  • Newbury Elementary Schools; Newbury, MA
  • Hope Sudbury; Sudbury, MA;
  • Museum of Russian Icon; Clinton, MA
  • Russian Language and Arts Center; Andover, MA
  • ​International Women's Club of Boston; Greater Boston Area, MA
  • Peter Noyes School; Sudbury, MA
  • New England Folk Festival Association; Mansfield, MA
  • Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough; Acton, MA
  • Tufts University, Medford, MA
  • MIT, Cambridge, MA
  • Zdorovie Adult Health Center, Newton, MA
  • 2Life Communities, Framingham, MA

Our Staff

​Lana Emelyanov
Program Director

Lana Emelyanov has a lifelong passion for Slavic folk art, music, and dance and enjoys building a community that celebrates Slavic cultural traditions. Lana cherishes her multicultural family heritage rooted in Russian and Ukrainian cultures. She works as a private practice therapist, and believes that by embracing and celebrating cultural diversity, individuals, families, and communities can foster empathy and mutual respect. 

Natalya Yezhkova 
Event Organizer

Natalya Yezhkova is an enthusiast of Russian culture. Natalya holds Master's Degree in Math from Moscow State University (Russia) and MBA from Babson College and works in the market research field in her professional career. As part of her professional life Natalya enjoys working with people from all over the world and is fascinated with diversity of cultures and traditions. Natalya believes that folk dance and crafts are amazing ways of cross-cultural communication that help people to tell stories of their motherlands and spirits without words. 

​​​Katya Taradai 
Community Liaison

​Ekaterina Taradai holds a Bacheor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the St. Petersburg Teacher's Training University, Russia. She runs a Russian-Immersion family daycare where she fosters the Russian language and culture.  Katya is actively involved in the local Russian-speaking community by organizing, promoting, and participating in various events such as cultural fairs and fundraisers.