Harbin Manchuria (Heilongjiang) - The Russian City in China, 1900-1945

Railroad.  Before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, Russians moved to Harbin to help build and administer this railroad as well as develop Manchuria. The economy in Harbin grew thanks to, but separate from, the White Russian Orthodox and the Russian Jewish communities. During the Revolution and the Russian Civil War, waves of Russian refugees fled to Harbin. Following the Japanese occupation of Manchuria in the early 1930s, life changed drastically for Harbiners. Many left for Shanghai. Following the Soviet army sneak attack of Manchuria in 1945, most Russians left Harbin, immigrating to various countries.
Program:
5:00pm Check-in, Light Refreshments, & Networking
5:30 - 6:30pm Lecture
6:30 - 7:00pm Audience Interaction
Speaker Bio:A retired professor from Boston College and MIT, Dr. Liliane Willens is a current Washington, D.C. resident with a vibrant history growing up in Shanghai, China. Dr. Willens was born of Russian parentage in the former French Concession of Shanghai. She, her parents, and sisters all lived in China during Japanese occupation and World War II, and emigrated a couple years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Willens is the author of the book, Stateless in Shanghai.Sponsored By:The GW Confucius InstituteThe Sigur Center for Asian StudiesThe Judaic Studies ProgramRoom: Lindner Commons (Rm 602)Address: Elliott School of International Affairs - 1957 E St NW, Washington, DCJoin us for the dialogue! Event is FREE & open to the public. Light refreshements will be served.