Speakers

Saglar Bougdaeva | Allison Budschalow | Baina Molokaeva | Brenda Nogales | Elena Churyumov | Tsagana Bukhaeva

  • Saglar (Saga) Bougdaeva was born and raised in Kalmykia. Before receiving a PhD in Sociology from Yale University, Bougdaeva studied Mongolian-Tibetan-Mandarin linguistics at Saint Petersburg State University. Saglar recently completed the first English translation of the Oirat epic, Jangar: The Heroic Epic of the Kalmyk Nomads (University of California Press, World Literature in Translation Series, 2023). Saglar currently lives in New York and is at work on her next book project.

  • Why is Jangar considered world literature? Jangar is a rare treasure that represents the nomadic aesthetics of philosophical and humanistic creation. The language in Jangar offers an essential link to understanding nomadic polities and cultures. In this interactive session, Saglar will elaborate on her process and experience translating Jangar into English. She will highlight the historical and cultural context surrounding the Jangar epic, while also guiding the audience through a hands-on translation of one of her favorite sections of the text. Additionally, Saglar will discuss the aesthetics of Jangar's creation, with particular attention to the translational analysis of Oirad-Kalmyk words, terms, and expressions found in early medieval nomadic literature. In her presentation, Saglar will also address the epic's survival through generations of transition and colonial encounters, emphasizing the critical importance of recovering Oirat literary traditions for our diasporic community.

  • Allison is a people person with decades of experience in bringing folks together to build toward common goals. She has vast experience in doing this in the form of resource generation (or fundraising) based on her many years as lead development staff for community-based organizations. Allison loves to help groups increase their individual and collective power through resourcing their work with an emphasis on grassroots fundraising. Most recently, she has co-created Securing the Roots, a six month fellowship to build people-power through a resource generation, mobilization and reclamation framework.

    In her work with Dragonfly, she enjoys facilitating groups of all sizes through an exploration of who they are and what they are invested in, opening up ways for them to stretch and find growth. With knowledge of organizational development, an eye toward strategy, and expertise in virtual engagement, she has been navigating the pandemic skillfully, bringing folks together even as we are physically apart.

    Prior to her resource generation and mobilization work, she served on staff at the American Friends Service Committee, supporting social movements around the U.S. and globally. She also had the privilege of being a lead organizer of the first U.S. Social Forum, held in Atlanta in 2007. Allison has served on the boards of directors for a number of Philadelphia-based organizations.

    As the first person in her family to graduate from college, Allison received her BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Earlham College and her MA in Sustainable Businesses and Communities from Goddard College. Born and raised in Philly and determined to raise her kids there, too, she is a member of the Kalmyk Mongol diaspora and is always excited to investigate the intersections of food, gentrification, race, class, and story-telling in her spare time.

  • In 1951 and 1952, the first Kalmyks arrived from Germany to the U.S. As a mass migration, our people settled collectively in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I began documenting our stories of life in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philly (where I grew up) from the 1950s to the 21st century so that they are not erased, or developed over like the neighborhood itself. I hope to lift up our particular history and stories that highlight the contradictions of gentrification, which resonate with other people and communities who are facing gentrification–especially those from poor, working class, immigrant, and communities of color where overwhelmingly this so-called form of development, and displacement of histories, people, and stories occurs. Come learn about our history and legacy in Philadelphia as well how our story is linked to that of other racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S.

  • Baina Molokaeva is an educator, mother, and student at Columbia University's Teachers College with a concentration in Special Education. Baina's interests include working with children with autism, down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. She believes in the necessity of building an inclusive society founded on principles of equity, education, and the cultivation of strong communities.

    After moving to the States one and half years ago, Baina has taken the initiative to establish Junior Nomads NY, an organization aimed at working with immigrant children, assisting them in adapting to the educational system of the USA, and supporting the identification and preservation of their culture and language. Through this work, Baina’s leadership and values has helped unite the ethnic minorities of Russia into a stronger community. Baina also teaches Russian, English, and Spanish and is skillful in essay writing, critical thinking, and fostering well-being.

  • Baina Molokaeva delves into various key aspects related to education and societal integration in the USA. Topics include:

    1. Focus on the educational system in the USA.

    2. Special education in the USA. Who is eligible? Will having an Individualized Education Program (IEP) be not an obstacle in the future?

    3. What is important to know for the ideal college applicant profile?

    4. Why are identity, emotional intelligence, and cultural wealth crucial as cultural codes in the US education system?

    5. What would the previous generation of immigrant children change in the upbringing system?

  • A community member will moderate an oral storytelling session for Kalmyks in diaspora. Together, we will share photos and stories of our families and our experiences in the US, and listen to others as we gain better insight into our history and our future.

    To bring: photos and stories of your childhood, family, and friends

  • Brenda Nogales oversees the Crisis and Humanitarian Program at HIAS PA, a program tailored to respond to the legal and social needs of people affected by humanitarian crises who are arriving in the U.S. and are in need of access to timely, reliable information and services in languages they understand and in a culturally responsive and trauma-informed way.

    Originally from Bolivia, Brenda understands the challenges and concerns that most immigrants face when moving to a new country. She started her career as an advocate for immigrant victim’s rights in 2005 at Nationalities Service Center (NSC) where she oversaw the Survivor Services Program which provides legal and social supports to survivors of torture, human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. In 2019, Brenda received the Pennsylvania Governor’s Victim Service Pathfinder Award recognizing her as a pioneer advocate for immigrant victim’s rights across Pennsylvania where she has been on the front lines of immigrant assistance and advocacy, helping open paths for equal access to justice and culturally responsive programing for immigrant survivors of crime.

    Brenda is a graduate from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University where she received an LL.M. degree (Master of Law) and she also holds a law degree from the Universidad Mayor de San Simon in Bolivia.

  • Local immigration advocate Brenda Nogales will present a Know Your Rights session geared toward Kalmyks seeking asylum in the US and those who would like to learn more about the ever-changing political landscape around immigration. She will also discuss resources available through local community organizations in the city of Philadelphia. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

    If you’d like to ask a question to be presented anonymously during the session, please email us your question at kalmykyouth@gmail.com and we will read the question aloud for Brenda to answer.

  • Elena Churyumov was born and raised in the village of Ketchenery, Kalmykia until continuing her musical studies at the College of Performing Arts and Music in Elista. There, she received focused instruction in Kalmyk instruments -particularly youchin and dombr - and Kalmyk traditional music and composition.

    Elena was the Principle Singer and Principle Musician for The Kalmyk State Dance Theatre “Oiraty”. She toured worldwide with the theatre group, performing in Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, France, India, Mongolia, Spain, Taiwan, Canada, Slovakia, the United States, and more.

    Since moving to the US in 2003, she has worked as a freelance musician, singer, and producer, presenting at numerous Kalmyk, Mongolian, and Russian community cultural events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington D.C. including the annual Chingis Khan Ceremony hosted by Mongol American Cultural Association (MACA) where she also acted as the producer of the cultural segments.

  • An expert in Kalmyk music, Elena Churyumov will present us with a mix of performance, translations, and context for some of her favorite Oirat songs, touching on the cultural traditions that surround music/oral storytelling in the Kalmyk diaspora and also discuss the importance of transmitting musical traditions to the next generations.

  • Founded in 2022 by Tsagana Bukhaeva, the Kalmyk Dance NJ is a youth group dedicated to preserving traditional Kalmyk dance. Members ages 6-17 regularly meet to practice under the guidance of Tsagana. Before recently moving into a dance studio, their weekly practices were held at Nitsan Temple in Howell, New Jersey. To ensure the continuation and celebration of their cultural heritage, the group often performs at various Kalmyk events throughout the tri-state area.

  • Enjoy an engaging dance performance and lesson by Kalmyk Dance NJ, led by instructor Tsagana Bukhaeva. The session kicks off with a 4-minute Tavshur dance performance, followed by a 20-minute lesson led by Tsagana and pair dancers. The second dance performance is Bagchudn Be, followed by another 20-minute lesson with the pair dancers instructed by Tsagana. To wrap up the final 10 minutes of the session, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in performing these two dances.

    Dancers: Galsan Bukhaev, Jefferson Yeshe, Sayana Nemgirov and Ariana Perveeva

Registration closes: Wednesday, April 10th!

Programming

  • The day kicks off with Registration Check-In, and is accompanied by refreshments + morning drinks and followed by opening remarks.

    Please note: Registration Check-In will begin at 8am and will close promptly at 10am to allow our organizers and volunteers to participate in the event. If you anticipate arriving after 10am please contact us at kalmykyouth@gmail.com.

  • Saglar Bougdaeva: Translating Jangar

    Why is Jangar considered world literature? Jangar is a rare treasure that represents the nomadic aesthetics of philosophical and humanistic creation. The language in Jangar offers an essential link to understanding nomadic polities and cultures. In this interactive session, Saglar will elaborate on her process and experience translating Jangar into English. She will highlight the historical and cultural context surrounding the Jangar epic, while also guiding the audience through a hands-on translation of one of her favorite sections of the text. Additionally, Saglar will discuss the aesthetics of Jangar's creation, with particular attention to the translational analysis of Oirad-Kalmyk words, terms, and expressions found in early medieval nomadic literature. In her presentation, Saglar will also address the epic's survival through generations of transition and colonial encounters, emphasizing the critical importance of recovering Oirat literary traditions for our diasporic community.

  • Room 1: Baina Molokaeva | Navigating the US School System

    Delve into various key aspects related to education and societal integration in the USA. Topics include: focus on the educational system in the USA, special education in the USA, what is important to know for the ideal college applicant profile, why are identity, emotional intelligence, and cultural wealth crucial as cultural codes in the US education system, and what would the previous generation of immigrant children change in the upbringing system.

    Room 2: Alison Budschalow | Understanding Our Legacies

    In 1951 and 1952, the first Kalmyks arrived from Germany to the U.S. As a mass migration, our people settled collectively in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I began documenting our stories of life in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philly (where I grew up) from the 1950s to the 21st century so that they are not erased, or developed over like the neighborhood itself. I hope to lift up our particular history and stories that highlight the contradictions of gentrification, which resonate with other people and communities who are facing gentrification–especially those from poor, working class, immigrant, and communities of color where overwhelmingly this so-called form of development, and displacement of histories, people, and stories occurs. Come learn about our history and legacy in Philadelphia as well how our story is linked to that of other racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S.

  • regroup with us, your friends, and your family during this lunch hour as we enjoy a mix of traditional Kalmyk food and local cuisine

  • Room 1: Share Your Family Stories!

    A community member will moderate an oral storytelling session for Kalmyks in diaspora. Together, we will share photos and stories of our families and our experiences in the US, and listen to others as we gain better insight into our history and our future. We will try to collect these stories to archive.

    To bring: photos and stories of your childhood, family, and friends

    Room 2: Know Your Rights with Brenda Nogales: Seeking Asylum in Philly

    Local immigration advocate Brenda Nogales will present a Know Your Rights session geared toward Kalmyks seeking asylum in the US and those who would like to learn more about the ever-changing political landscape around immigration. She will also discuss resources available through local community organizations in the city of Philadelphia. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

  • An expert in Kalmyk music, Elena Churyumov will present us with a mix of performance, translations, and context for some of her favorite Oirat songs, touching on the cultural traditions that surround music/oral storytelling in the Kalmyk diaspora and also discuss the importance of transmitting musical traditions to the next generations.

  • An enjoy an engaging dance performance and lesson by Kalmyk Dance NJ, led by instructor Tsagana Bukhaeva. The session kicks off with a 4-minute Tavshur dance performance, followed by a 20-minute lesson led by Tsagana and pair dancers. The second dance performance is Bagchudn Be, followed by another 20-minute lesson with the pair dancers instructed by Tsagana. To wrap up the final 10 minutes of the session, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in performing these two dances.

    Dancers: Galsan Bukhaev, Jefferson Yeshe, Sayana Nemgirov and Ariana Perveeva

  • The workshop will end with a makers mart featuring Kalmyk artists and craftspeople from our community. Also available will be representatives from the local khurrals and other local organizers and community leaders to highlight the resources and expertise available within our ever-growing networks.

Children under the age of 13 are free to attend this event and will have the option to either join you in seminars or participate in the children’s program.

We are excited to also offer a separate program for children designed by Baina Molokaeva! Please note: the children’s program is suitable for ages 5+

When

Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Check-in: 8am—10am
Workshop: 10am—6:30pm

Where

The Latvian Society of Philadelphia

531 N 7th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Get Involved!

Kalmyk Youth Coalition operates on a project-by-project basis to adapt to the interests and needs of our very dynamic community. We are also, presently, volunteer-based only. If you’d like to get involved, we are gratefully accepting both 1) fiscal donations to provide food, participatory items for attendees, and speaker fees and 2) volunteers! All volunteers will receive free admission to the workshop. Learn more about each below: