Baba’s Kitchen: Slovak  & Rusyn Family Recipes and Traditions

 

Lecture by author Liza Alzo

A Joint Presentation of the Slovak-American Society of Washington Speakers Series

&

The Carpatho-Rusyn Society, National Capital Chapter

Saturday, March 14, 2009 – 3:00 P.M.

Embassy of the Slovak Republic

3523 International Court, NW

Washington, DC    20008

 

Some of Lisa Alzo’s fondest memories from childhood are the times spent in her Baba's kitchen: the aromas of fresh bread baking in the oven and chicken soup simmering on the stove, the blending together of voices young and old, and her grandmother in her apron and babushka. The kitchen served as the center of their home and as the place where some of life's most important lessons were taught and learned, simple principles of generosity, honesty, and love. It was also in this kitchen that Lisa learned to eat the foods and celebrate the traditions that were central to her Slovak and Rusyn heritage. Baba's Kitchen is a collection of recipes and traditions passed down through the generations in Lisa’s family. In this book she shares them as a tribute to her grandmothers and to the Rusyn and Slovak women everywhere who continue to preserve and share their cooking, rituals, and traditions.

Lisa Alzo grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and is the author of several books on Slovak and Rusyn subjects: Three Slovak Women, Baba's Kitchen, Finding Your Slovak Ancestors, and Slovak Pittsburgh. She is also an avid genealogist.

Directions to the Embassy of Slovakia   3523 International Court NW, Washington DC

From the Beltway north of DC:  Take Wisconsin Ave. south to Van Ness St. NW.  Turn left onto Van Ness and proceed east, crossing the intersections of Van Ness with 38^th St., 37^th St. and Reno Road.  Just east of Reno Rd., turn left (north) onto International Court.  If you reach Connecticut Ave., you have gone too far on Van Ness.  The Slovak Embassy is on the east side of the cul-de-sac at the north end of International Court, directly across from the Austrian Embassy.

From downtown DC:  Take Connecticut Ave. north to Van Ness St, NW.  Turn left onto Van Ness, proceed west about 500 yards, and turn right onto International Court  (see above, if you reach Reno Road you have gone too far).

Parking:  Garage parking is available at the Van Ness Center on Connecticut Ave. Limited on-street parking is available on Van Ness and on 36^th St...  Some street parking may be available on International Court.