Rudy P. Friesen, the founding partner of Friesen Tokar Architects in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, first became interested in the Russian Mennonite story
while listening to the recollections of his parents who immigrated from Russia
to Canada in 1926. He has traveled to Russia and Ukraine more than fifteen
times since 1978, and has served as a resource leader on all eight Mennonite
Heritage Cruises. During these travels, Friesen has documented hundreds of
historic buildings still remaining in former Mennonite colonies, and has
written and lectured extensively on Russian Mennonite architecture. He is the
author of Into the Past: Buildings of the Mennonite Commonwealth (Raduga
Publications, 1996). Friesen has also directed the renovation and restoration
of the former girls school in Halbstadt, now the Mennonite Center in
Molochansk, and is currently architect for the Mennonite Family Center in
Zaporizhzhe.
6:00
Dinner in the B.C. Lounge at MBBS, followed by a brief
business meeting.
This year's dinner will be prepared by Jane Friesen.
7:30
Program in the MBBS Chapel, featuring Rudy P. Friesen
Go to list of previous annual meeting speakers
Last modified: 3/13/2002