If, as it is often said, everyone’s Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day, then perhaps I can assert that in Alaska, many of us are Russian on Alaska Day.
Alaska Day, October 18th, has always been a prime holiday in my life, although many Alaskans are unaware of this day that commemorates the U.S. purchase and transfer of Alaska from Russia (see October 18th—Alaska Day).
Growing up in Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska, I’m greatly influenced by the aspects of Russian culture that linger there. By chance and design, those aspects seem to have asserted themselves lately, as Alaska Day approaches.
Porcupine pelmeni (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).