Russia & the Baltic w/ Galina Khmeleva

Russia is most known in the knitting world for its famous Orenburg Lace Shawls. These shawls are handknit from handspun lace weight yarn resembling a spider's web. This centuries old art form combines the finest down from Orenburg goats living near the Ural Mountains in Russia and silk to create a shawl so delicate it can pass through a ring. Galina Khmeleva is helping the survival of this vanishing tradition through education.

Mention the name Russia and what typically comes to mind...Communism?..the Cold War?…borscht? For most it is generally something of a political nature. Few know that Russia and the Baltic region may represent the world's last great unchartered culinary zone? It's true!! On this cruise Galina will share her knowledge not only of Russian lace but also of Russian food and the vast cultural diversity that is the current Russian Federation.

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Orenburg Lace

Orenburg knitted lace is considered by knitting enthusiasts to be among the great textile treasures of the knitting universe. Galina has been honored and humbled to have played a role in bringing about a renaissance of Orenburg knitted lace since the early 1990's. To once again witness the accession of this renowned Russian knitting tradition to present day Russian textile lore makes her extremely proud. That in her lifetime she would play this role of lace knitting ambassador and bring international focus to this one-time 'peasant' knitting tradition is literally a dream come true. Sharing this story with fellow cruisers is the proverbial icing on the cake for her.

INSTRUCTOR

Galina has been teaching students the fundamental techniques of Orenburg knitted lace since 1995. The resurgence of interest in and attention to this storied lace knitting tradition has helped Orenburg lace survive the uncertainty and turmoil that accompanied the enormous changes that took place in her homeland during the time of Perestroika and Glasnost. Now to be able to share the fascinating, hypnotic cultural nature of Russia first-hand with her students is literally the opportunity of a lifetime.

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HIGHLIGHTS

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Russia

This beautiful city was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. What was once swamp-land was transformed into what is now known as the Venice of the North with lovely bridges and numerous canals. Czarist palaces, domed churches and the Neva River make this capital city a real gem. St. Petersburg retained its original historical design because it was not destroyed during WWII.

St. Petersburg was the capital of Imperial Russia and remains today Russia's cultural capital. St. Petersburg is a living museum with architecture and art being two of its key attractions. The Hermitage is one of the world's most famous museums with significant collections from Matisse, Picasso and Rembrandt. Performing arts abound so if you have the opportunity don't miss a chance to see Russian ballet, opera or even a folkloric performance.

The cultural wonderland that is present-day Russia and it's sister countries of the Baltic region will be on full display during this cruise. In Russia alone, there are over one hundred nationalities and languages, making it the most ethnically diverse country on the planet. Galina Khmeleva will be your official spokesperson for everything Russian on this trip. Galina will share with you an intimate cornucopia of cultural and ethnic wonder. Having this opportunity to share with fellow passengers makes Galina very proud of her heritage.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia

Talinn is an all-time favorite port of call for knitters. It is a vibrant city where the Russian & Estonian cultures blend. Tallinn has a medieval core that is walled and consists of buildings dating back to the middle ages. Cobbled pedestrian streets, quaint buildings, amazing restaurants and excellent shopping opportunities for yarn and hand-knits including lace shawls make this historical old town great. Tallinn was one of the Baltic states that was a part of the Soviet Union, but was recognized by the U.N. as a sovereign state in 1992.

Eesti Käsitöö is the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union established in 1929 (abolished during the Soviet occupation) and re-established 1992. This guild is a non-profit organization that brings together regional folk artists and hand crafters to preserve and develop traditional Estonian handicrafts and to showcase the regional characteristics of these traditions. Eesti Käsitöö has their main guild stores in Tallinn's Old Town where you will find great yarn at unbelievable prices as well as hand knit lacework, other amazing knitwear and local designer art.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

de Afstap

Amsterdam's largest yarn store, de Afstap is overflowing with yarns such as Rowan tweeds, cottons, sock yarn, and some really interesting "glimmer prints." Lace knitters will be especially interested in hand-painted Misti Alpaca Lace yarn that is very soft and Mora Redgarn, a 100% wool lace yarn from Sweden in several colors both of which are perfect for lightweight gossamer lace projects such as Orenburg shawls.The shop also has a huge selection of books and magazines in Dutch, English, Norwegian, Swedish, Estonian, and Japanese, as well as a full range of needles and other knitting accessories.

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Copenhagen, Denmark

Sommerfuglen

This fantastic store is about a two minute walk from Copenhagen's popular pedestrian shopping street Strøget making it very convenient to visit. The owner, Ditte, has arranged a wonderful trunk shows with local designer, Bente Geil. Bente graduated from Skals Textile University College in 2005, and today she runs her own knitwear design company, publishes her own pattern line, and teaches knitting at the Creative School in Viborg. Bente is also a member of the Danish arts and crafts group, "Netmaskerne". Denmark is blessed with leading designers including Vivian Hoxbro, Hanne Falkenburg and Marianne & Helga Isager, among others. Sommerfuglen carries many kits from these and other very popular designers at prices below what you can get in the US.

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RUSSIAN COOKIE RECIPES

Russian Tea Cakes

Russian tea cakes appeared sometime around the 18th century and were eaten in a tea-sharing ceremony. These powdered confections are very simple to make and consist primarily of nuts, butter, flour and powdered sugar. These cookies are popular throughout the world and are mostly consumed at Christmas.

• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F

In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped nuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.

Kolachki

Here is another popular Russian Christmas cookie recipe. Kolachki is very similar to Russian Tea Cakes but have delicious fillings that range from cream cheese and fruit to chocolate and nuts.

Cookie Dough

• 24 ounces cream cheese
• 2 pounds butter
• 8 cups flour

Allow cream cheese and butter to come to room temperature. Blend flour slowly. Divide into however many filling types you plan to make. Chill for several hours. Roll out until 1/8 " thick and sprinkle with a combination of flour and confectioners sugar. Cut into 2" squares. Fill and fold. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Depending on your oven you may want to turn them over after ten minutes.

Walnut Filling

• 1/2 pound walnuts
• Honey to bind

Dried Fruit Filling

• 1 1/2 cups dried fruit "minced"
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp almond extract

Pineapple Filling

• 16 ounces crushed pineapple "drained"
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• Pinch of salt

Cream Cheese Filling

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Launched on her maiden voyage in 2008, the ms Eurodam was the first ship in the fleet to introduce Holland America's new Signature Class design features. This ship was designed with all of the most loved ship features cruise passengers have come to know and love aboard Holland America as well as incorporating many new and improved features making her one of the most beloved ships in the fleet.

With 86 percent of the staterooms offering ocean views or private verandahs coupled with ocean view elevators makes the ocean a focal point. New innovative technology makes navigation and port information easily accessible to all passengers. This ship features five dining venues including the Rembrandt dining room, the award winning Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto Restaurant, the Lido and the brand new and very popular Tamarind Restaurant. Tamarind is a pan-Asian themed restaurant serving dim sung for lunch and a variety of delicious asian delicacies for dinner. These features combined with a multi-million dollar art collection featuring reproductions of famous Dutch artists will ensure a cruise to remember.