Our Goal

To keep alive Valery P. Chkalov’s dream – read to the nation over NBC Radio from the balcony of the Marshall House in Vancouver, Washington in 1937 – that like the waters of the Columbia and Volga Rivers, which flow peacefully on the same planet and eventually contribute to the same world ocean, "…the peoples of Russia and the USA should live peacefully on this same planet and with cooperative work beautify this ocean of human life."

What Does the Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee Do?

Members of the Cultural Exchange Committee have been involved in many different activities that have included entertaining Russian guests with trips to the Columbia River Gorge (an unusual scenic area) picnics, dinners and trips around the Vancouver, Washington area. We traveled as a group to Russia in 2004 and 2007 and toured museums, historic sites, met government officials and experienced new foods and customs. At home, we have held large dinners and small receptions for our guests as well as community members who follow the Chkalov Cultural Exchange Committee facilitated meetings with government leaders, business people, educators in Olympia and Southwest Washington and the greater Portland, Oregon metro area.