Scene in D.C.: Russian Pepsi, Arab Art, Legislator Dance
Guests were transported to 1812 last night at the Russian Embassy. Tchaikovsky’s overture echoed down the red carpet leading to where Napoleon Bonaparte awaited arrivals.
“1812 Gala: The Anthem, The Overture, and Salute to Diplomacy” was hosted by the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The foundation honored former PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) Chairman and Chief Executive Donald Kendall, who introduced Pepsi Cola to Russians more than 50 years ago.
PepsiCo, DirecTV (DTV), and Abbott Laboratories (ABT) were among the evening’s sponsors.
Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak welcomed guests into the romantic Golden Hall with its six chandeliers and floor-to- ceiling mirrors. A dinner of lobster, Chateaubriand beef and chocolate torte Napoleon was served with Russian Standard Vodka and Veuve Clicquot.
The night was a remembrance of the bicentennial of the wars of 1812 in Russia and the U.S.
John Quincy Adams, the former president and first American envoy to Russia, regaled guests with anecdotes from his time in St. Petersburg in the early 19th century. He was portrayed by former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle.
Guests left with Russian Pepsi bottles and commemorative 1812 plates.
Arabian Roads
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia attended a reception last night at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
He cut the ribbon for “Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The exhibit opens Saturday for its North American premiere.
The prince is the president and chief executive of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. His elegant son, Prince Salman bin Salman, and Saudi Arabian Ambassador Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir greeted guests. Others in attendance included Gamal Helal, president of Helal Enterprises, and Ahmed Alzayyat, president of Aramco Services Co.
Baku Friends
Representative Dan Burton, Indiana Republican, ended up on stage with the dancers at the Azerbaijan America Alliance gala on Wednesday night.
“A Night in Washington with Friends From Baku” was held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and featured a five-course Azerbaijani meal. Performers from the Natig Rhythm Group offered incessant drumbeats.
“You have to try this too,” said Burton to no one in particular as he was brought to the stage by what looked like a golden genie. There he got into the spirit, along with Representative Ruben Hinojosa, Texas Democrat and member of the Financial Services Committee.
Before the legislators turned terpsichorean, Burton testified to the beauty of Baku, recalling his trips there as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia.
At the VIP reception, House Speaker John Boehner and Republican senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Richard Burr of North Carolina sipped cocktails with Azerbaijani Ambassador Elin Suleymanov and Anar Mammadov, the alliance’s founder.
Mammadov started the alliance last year to increase awareness of his country and encourage visitors from the U.S.
(Stephanie Green is a writer and photographer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Any opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Katya Kazakina on auctions, Jeremy Gerard on theater.
To contact the writer on this story: Stephanie Green in Washington at sgreen57@bloomberg.net or on Twitter @stephlgreen.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
1812 Gala
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
An actor playing Napoleon Bonaparte greeted guests as they entered the Russian Embassy.
An actor playing Napoleon Bonaparte greeted guests as they entered the Russian Embassy. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
1812 Gala
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Former PepsiCo chairman Donald Kendall, the evening's honoree.
Former PepsiCo chairman Donald Kendall, the evening's honoree. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
1812 Gala
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and gala chairman Susan Lehrman.
Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and gala chairman Susan Lehrman. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
1812 Gala
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
John Quincy Adams was portrayed by former Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle.
John Quincy Adams was portrayed by former Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Roads of Arabia Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Prince Sultan bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the "Roads of Arabia" opening reception at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art.
Prince Sultan bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the "Roads of Arabia" opening reception at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Roads of Arabia Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Prince Salman bin Salman, and Mohammed Al Alajaji, a graduate student at George Washington University.
Prince Salman bin Salman, and Mohammed Al Alajaji, a graduate student at George Washington University. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Roads of Arabia Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Gamal Helal, president of Helal Enterprises, Saudi Ambassador Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, and Heba El Koudsy.
Gamal Helal, president of Helal Enterprises, Saudi Ambassador Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, and Heba El Koudsy. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
A Night in Washington with Friends from Baku
House Speaker John Boehner, Illinois Republican, and Anar Mammadov, the founder of Azerbaijan American Alliance.
House Speaker John Boehner, Illinois Republican, and Anar Mammadov, the founder of Azerbaijan American Alliance.
A Night in Washington with Friends from Baku
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Rep. Dan Burton, Indiana Republican, is led up the stage in a virtual Conga line.
Rep. Dan Burton, Indiana Republican, is led up the stage in a virtual Conga line. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Rate this Page
Bloomberg moderates all comments. Comments that are abusive or off-topic will not be posted to the site. Excessively long comments may be moderated as well. Bloomberg cannot facilitate requests to remove comments or explain individual moderation decisions.