The La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association (LDFA) is a sister city organization dedicated to social, educational, medical and cultural exchanges between Dubna, Russia, and La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Association has celebrated over 30 years in this special relationship.
The Association began during the Cold War in 1990 when peace lanterns brought the cities together. These lanterns were floated down the Mississippi and Volga Rivers as a symbol of unity and peace. Residents of the two cities have bridged gaps and overcome barriers between Russia and the U. S. by getting to know each other through citizen diplomacy and friendship. We have partnered with exchanges of students, teachers, artists, municipal employees, health professionals, and many other groups.
Our sister city is a city of 70,000 residents located 80 miles north of Moscow, nestled along the banks of the Volga River. This eclectic city attracts scientists, industrialists, singers, dancers, film makers, painters and sportsmen. It is a famous water skiing location. The city is internationally famous for the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research where physicists from many different countries work together. Five elements on the periodic table were discovered here including #105, Dubnium, and element #118, Oganesson, which is named after Dubna Physicist and friend Yuri Oganesson.
The first exchange was highlighted by the music of the Dubna Trio, three Russian musicians who brought the universal language of music to La Crosse. Before coming to La Crosse, the trio had experienced much professional success performing in the former USSR and in places such as Prague, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The delegation was the first delegation to represent the Dubna people and the Russian culture. Their vision was that the Dubna Trio would be able to build bridges of friendship between our cities through music. During all those years of Cold War the impression was that Russia and America were enemies. But this delegation never believed it. They knew that America was our ally during World War II.
The delegation came to extend hands of friendship to get to know American people by speaking our universal language of music, so universal that it does not need any words, only feelings. It goes from heart to heart and becomes a miracle. And the miracle happened. We built trust and we made so many friends. There was the realization that no matter what culture we come from, we are all the same.
From this beginning many additional activities and exchanges developed. Approximately 1,000 people trips were made between residents of the two cities. Primary were many medical and educational exchanges.
Viterbo University and UW-L assisted Dubna in establishing an American style university which currently has over 1,000 students.
The local hospitals and clinics helped develop treatment facilities for providing modern health care in Dubna. With over ten million dollars in U. S. government grants we have helped to revamp the Russian Health System.
During recent years LDFA has conducted its annual meeting with a MASLENITSA celebration. Maslenitsa is a favorite Russian folk holiday celebrated during the last week before Orthodox Lent, and much like Mardi Gras, It involves a lot of feasting before the Lenten fast. The food of choice is BLINI, the famous Russian pancake, made with lots of butter and served with sweet or savory toppings. It is eaten as often as possible during this time as dairy products and sweets are to be given up during Lent.
Current relations between the U.S. and Russia have impacted this relationship. Yet, many personal friendships and interactions continue. We hope for a return to more normal activities in future years.