Russiaís Day in Washington More than 1,230 guests attended the Embassy of Russiaís National Day celebration on June 12 at the chancery. Guests arriving at this unusually festive Russian event were greeted at the door by a colorful balalaika band and Russian schoolgirls handing out traditional bread and salt. The theme of this yearís national day reception was showcasing rural and small-town Russia, not unlike the Small Towns Festival in the United States. That is why the embassy invited a mayoral delegation from eight provincial cities of Russia, such as Suzdal, Uryupinsk and Puchezh. The highlight of the reception was the performance by the Vishenka (Sweet Cherry) folk-dance group from the town of Suzdal, which entertained guests with their breathtaking dance routines. The entertainment was well complemented by the abundance of traditional Russian delicacies, including caviar, beluga, suckling pigs, pickles, piroshki, blini and lots of Kremlin vodkaóserved by some broad-shouldered Russian bravos. King Kigeli V Honors Von Kloberg, DuVal Donning black slippers embroidered with a devil holding a pitchfork, international p ublicist and lobbyist Edward J. von Kloberg III greeted guests at his double-penthouse apartment on Cathedral Avenue in NW Washington on May 30. The group of more than 100 diplomats, government officials and socialites came to watch the investiture of von Kloberg by the exiled Rwandan King, Kigeli V and to bid farewell to Clinton administration Deputy Chief of Protocol Fred DuVal. The seven-foot-two-inch king touched the tip of a swordóonce owned by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassieóon each of von Klobergís shoulders after conferring on him the Chevalier Grand Croix of the Royal Order of the Intare. "The Intare means the Lion," explained the king as he praised von Kloberg as, "a great friend of Africa and a true aristocrat." King Kigeli was exiled from the throne in 1959 by Rwandaís Belgian colonial government and now resides in Northern Virginia. In a speech, von Kloberg said: "In the 40 years since [King Kigelli Vís] departure [from Rwanda], he has fought tirelessly for the restoration of peace in this troubled land, delivering a message of hope and commitment to the highest corridors of power." Also honored was DuVal, who was presented with a birthday cake. DuVal is leaving Washington to return to his home state of Arizona, where the Democrat will likely announce his candidacy for a congressional seat in the 2002 elections. Von Kloberg read letters of farewell and best wishes for DuVal from former Austrian Ambassador Helmut Tuerk and his wife Monika and former Swedish Ambassador Henrik Liljegren and his wife Nil. Tuerk, who is now chief of staff to the Austrian president, wrote, "If one day [Fred DuVal] should become governor of Arizona, Monika and I promised to be present at his inauguration. That promise still holds good today!" The event attracted ambassadors representing St. Lucia, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, Portugal, Yemen, Malawi, Turkmenistan and former ambassadors of Bosnia, Macedonia and St. Lucia. Also attending were several U.S. government officials. Most of the guests roamed von Klobergís meticulously decorated apartment, which resembled a small museum. A Very Special Arts Gala Ambassador of Brazil and Mrs. Rubens Barbosa opened their chancery to more than 350 distinguished guests on June 12 for the Very Special Arts foundationís annual fundraising event. The charity, founded in 1974 by former U.S. ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith, brought together diplomats, congressional legislators, corporate executives and Washington socialites, to support art programs for people with disabilities in more than 60 foreign countries and to honor the achivements of IADB President Enrique Iglesias. Performances, dancing, a succulent buffet dinner and a silent auction of art work by the foundationís member artists highlighted the merry event, although characteristic Washington humidity did have something of a dampening effect on the largely outdoor event. Joining Kennedy Smith and the Barbosas in reveling for a good cause were about 20 ambassadors and 30 congressional legislators, including Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri), Rep. Ben Gilman (R-N.Y.) as well as representatives from American Express, Lockheed Martin, Coca-Cola and other companies. Of Ballrooms and BYU On May 24, the now former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee for European Affairs Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) hosted 26 European ambassadors in the garden of his country club home in Potomac, Md., for a pretour performance of the Brigham Young University (BYU) Ballroom Dance Company, which was en route to England for annual ballroom-dancing competitions. Sen. Smith, a Mormon, also used the opportunity to discuss religious freedom in Europe. He thanked Latvian Deputy Chief of Mission Peteris Vinkelis for demonstrating Latviaís commitment to religious freedom and particularly for allowing the Church of Latter-day Saints to practice in that country. The question of religious proselytization is touchy in many European capitals, and some of the ambassadors may have felt a slight chill. However, the gathered guests all seemed to agree that the performance, which included a medley of numbers with Italian, Spanish, swing and even hip-hop themes, was second to none. Indeed, the dancers have taken the last 14 titles at the British Open Championships in Blackpool, England. After the performance, Ambassador of Hungary Geza Jeszenszky told his host "I have been to a lot of your events. This is the crown."