About us > News

Sasha Steinberg graduated from Vassar College in May 2009 with a degree in “Modern Literatures” awarded by the Independent Program. He is currently in Moscow on a Fulbright Research Grant. His Fulbright Research Project is entitled “Arts in Public, Publics in Art” and is engaged in apprehending the role of the arts (meaning literature, visual art, theater, film, architecture, etc.) in contemporary Russian society. This is his third lecture at the American Center. “Queer Theory is for Everyone!” is a survey of the questions, terms, and philosophers that have generated the cutting edge but confusing and often-misunderstood academic discipline known as "Queer Theory." Focused on questions of sexuality and gender, Queer Theory is motivated by a profound distrust for any and all traditional assumptions and restrictive categories. It is precisely for this reason, therefore, that Queer Theory isn't just for gays and lesbians, for feminists or scholars. Queer theory is for everyone!

Tuesday, February 9, 6:00 p.m. Chicago is a dynamic and fascinating city with spectacular architecture and a dramatic setting on the shores of Lake Michigan. The largest metropolis between the coasts, it has the biggest population, the most problems...and the greatest potential.***Edens Lost & Found tells Chicago's story by threading together the stories of a diverse group of its active and committed citizens including volunteers, professionals, students and community leaders -- among them, the city's mayor, Richard M. Daley. During his tenure, Chicago made a powerful commitment to open space with the creation of the 24-acre Millennium Park built atop a parking garage in the heart of downtown. The city has also become a laboratory for green architecture with the award-winning City Hall Roof Garden and Green Roof Initiative. 57 min.

Come learn more about one of America’s most diverse cities: Chicago! Our speaker will be Chicago-area native Viktor Sidabras, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow since October 2009. Mr. Sidabras joined the Foreign Service in 1984 and has served abroad in Belgium, Germany, Liberia, Norway, and Sweden. In Washington, he has served in positions related to Central Asia and the Caucasus, East Asia, and economic, energy and business affairs. He helped open the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania and served as Public Affairs Officer there 1992-95. On July 6, 2002, Mr. Sidabras received the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, the Cross of the Knight, from Lithuanian President Adamkus at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius for his work promoting American-Lithuanian relations. Viktor Sidabras was born in Hammond, Indiana, and graduated magna cum laude from Dominican University (River Forest, Illinois) with joint BA-MA degrees in European History. He also completed additional studies at the University of Chicago. Mr. Sidabras is fluent in Lithuanian; he also speaks German, French, Swedish, Norwegian, and is learning Russian.

Dear AMC patrons! We are pleased to announce the Children's Translation and USA Quiz Contest! We are organizing this event in collaboration with the Children's Hall of the VGBIL Library. Participants will translate an abridged text from a children's story, and have the option of also answering short essay questions. Submissions will be accepted until March 10. Children ages 12 and older are eligible to participate. Please email amcenter@amc.ru to get further details and the official announcement.