Celebration of the American Independence Day in Yekaterinburg

2010/07/01

Management Officer Andrew Posacki, PAO Kimberly Williams, Acting CG John Stepanchuk, and Minister Alexander Kharlov (State Dept.)

On July 1st, the U.S. Consulate General invited its partners and friends to celebrate the U.S. Independence Day in the Fireside Bar at the Hyatt Hotel. The reception gathered the diplomatic community, officials representing the regional government and city administration, and directors of Yekaterinburg theaters, musical venues, and libraries. Pol/Econ Officer Carol Trimble opened the ceremony with a brief description of the U.S. Consulate General activities that have taken place in the past year. In her presentation, she acknowledged the ways in which the U.S. Consulate General has strengthened relations with numerous and diverse organizations in the Urals and Western Siberia. She introduced Public Affairs Officer Kimberly Williams who has just started her term in Yekaterinburg. The guests warmly greeted John Stepanchuk who has returned to Yekaterinburg where he served as Consul General in 2006-2008. In his speech John Stepanchuk acknowledged the impressive growth that Yekaterinburg has undergone in the last 2 years. Sverdlovsk Oblast Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Kharlov also took the floor and thanked the Consulate for its efforts in facilitating cultural and business partnerships. The national anthems of the U.S. and Russia finished an official part of the reception and guests raised their glasses on honor of Independence Day. Pol/Econ Officer Carol Trimble, Minister Kharlov, and the Head of the City Department of International Relations, Svetlana Garipova, closed the ceremony by cutting a magnificent cake decorated with the American flag.

Photo gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yekatconsulate/sets/72157624405146410/