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Oxford University Russian Society
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The Oxford University Russian Club or Oxford University Russian Society was founded in 1909 - as the Oxford University Russian Club - by Prince Felix Youssoupoff, who was then a Fine Art student at University College, Oxford. The aim of the OURS has since been promoting links and cultural ties between Russia and the University of Oxford. More than a century onwards, the Society continues to espouse the same values by hosting cultural and social events as well as talks by well-known and influential figures of great diversity, a tradition that has been greatly facilitated by having no official political affiliation. In addition it has managed to sustain a close relationship with pre-revolutionary Russian establishment in exile, many members of which are its patrons and great benefactors.
The Society currently numbers about 300 active members, making it one of the most active and popular organisations at the University. It has been the main organisation for promoting Russian culture in the University to both Russians and non-Russians through multiple events, and on a secondary basis one which offers a socialising ground for the Russian students at the University. The spirit of inclusivity is very profound in the OURS, and the organisation has been declared bilingual, meaning that everything has to also be translated into English. Finally, as an organisation the Oxford University Russian Society has hosted a plethora of distinguished guests - from Ambassadors, Patriarchs, Russian nobles, and British royals, to world-famous musicians, ballerinas, writers and artists - and aspires to continue that practice in the future. The Club has also had the honour to host and stage the international premiere of Vladimir Nabokov's "The Waltz Invention" in 1968. The site of the Oxford University Russian Club is listed in the British Library's Guide to Slavonic and East European Studies.
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