Around the Bloc: Stories of Love and Joy From the Eastern European Diaspora

This unique event brings together artists from a variety of disciplines from across the Eastern European diaspora, celebrating their heritage and showcasing the radiance and beauty of their multifaceted cultures. Our goal is to highlight the love and joy that, perhaps spitefully so, is still present in a region that is too often synonymous with mass traumas and suffering.

Performing artists include writers, photographers, musicians, digital artists, and filmmakers: Anastasia Duchess, Charents Apkarian, Katya Richardson, Lillian Feygin, Maisa Imamovic, Martha Wolnicki, Matthew Gelman, Nada Alic, and Ruth Madievsky. An excerpt from Match in a Haystack, a 2025 documentary produced in association with the Pulitzer Center, will also be shown.

Doors will open at 12:30pm, and programming will run from 1-3pm, with a wine reception to follow from 3-4pm.

Admission is free, and books will be sold by a local Los Angeles bookstore. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to check out the latest exhibitions.

This event is a partnership with Dear Diary, a series curated and hosted by Veronika Kelemen.