Ten facts about 'Little Odessa' in New York that will surprise you

Brighton Beach is the most famous Russian-speaking area in the United States. It is also called "Little Odessa". Few people know that one of the best schools of Russian ballet in the United States is located here, as well as that scenes for the film Requiem for a Dream were filmed in this place. The edition writes about it Culture Trip.

Here are 10 facts that will allow you to go on a small but fascinating journey through this amazing area in New York.

1. Friendly people

"Little Odessa" is open to people from different walks of life. It was here that in 2017 the first LGBTQ “pride parade” among Russian-speaking people took place in the whole country.

2. The largest number of Russian immigrants

This region is home to the largest number of Russian immigrants in the Western Hemisphere.

In total, about 600 Russian Americans live in New York. Most of them live in either Brighton Beach or Sheepshead Bay. Throughout the metropolis of New York, there are about 000 immigrants who were born in Russia, the source notes.

3. Theater with Russian actors

There is a theater in Little Odessa that brings Russian actors. The “Master” (formally and historically known as the “Millennium Theater”) brings many Russian travelers throughout the year. The New York Times once compared this theater with the Lincoln Center for Russian immigrants.

4. In honor of "Little Odessa" a film was made

"Little Odessa" was the title of a 1994 drama about a family of Soviet Jews living in the area. It stars Tim Roth and Vanessa Redgrave. There is also a play by Neil Simon, Memoirs of Brighton Beach, which takes place in this area during the Great Depression.

5. Relatively young neighborhood

Brighton Beach became Little Odessa only in the 1970s. Only after the second wave of Russian and Soviet immigration during the Cold War did this area begin to be identified with the people who lived there.

On the subject: Brightness and poverty Brighton Beach: how the legendary "Little Odessa" lives

However, Russian immigrants began to arrive only at the beginning of the twentieth century, the author notes.

6. There is a famous school for Russian ballet dancers

Since 1991, ballet and folk dancers from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia have come to the Brighton Ballet Theater. This is one of the best Russian ballet schools in the USA.

7. You can recognize him from the Darren Aronofsky movie

Astute audiences recognize most of Brighton Beach in the movie Requiem for a Dream. The apartment in which Sarah Goldfarb starred is located on Brighton Sixth Street, next door to the Winter Garden restaurant, which also appeared in the film.

8. It is named after another very famous Brighton Beach.

The coast of England bears the exact same name. The name of the city, recognizable for this area, was established in 1878. Entrepreneur William A. Engeman (William A. Engeman) at the time bought several hundred acres of land right along the ocean for $ 20 and renamed the area in Brighton Beach.

9. This is the best place in the city for vodka and caviar

Brighton Bazaar is one of the most visited stores with Russian goods. There is a buffet with such Russian delicacies as Stroganov, Chicken Kiev, pilaf and more. You can familiarize yourself with a wide selection of vodka in any wine store, or stop at the "Volna" - a local restaurant loved by many - for a glass, even if the time is before noon.

10. Neil Diamond's parents owned a well-known store in Brighton Beach

When the famous American singer and actor Neil Diamond was a child, he lived in a small apartment above a butcher's shop in Brighton Beach. His parents owned the Diamond's Clothing Store, which became one of the main stores in the area.