The Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia (CREECA) and the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) in the summer of 2009 (June 15-Aug. 7).

Elementary Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian language courses will be offered, as well as lectures (in English) on Baltic history and culture and a rich program of cultural events related to the Baltic countries.

Information and application materials are available on the BALSSI Web site: www.creeca.wisc.edu/balssi. The application deadline is April 13.

BALSSI is sponsored by a consortium of 12 U.S. universities and receives additional support from the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. For further information about BALSSI 2009, contact Nancy Heingartner, BALSSI program coordinator, balssi@creeca.wisc.edu, +1 (608) 262-3379.

Professor and BALSSI Director Thomas DuBois said he is hoping to begin a Baltic Studies program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, similar to the one already in place at the University of Washington-Seattle. For further information, contact DuBois at tadubois@facstaff.wisc.edu.