The 5th International Online Festival "Such a Diverse A.S. Pushkin" concluded at Derzhavin University. This traditional project, timed to coincide with International Russian Language Day and the great poet's birthday, attracted a record number of participants this year – over 200 people.
The festival brought together Russian language enthusiasts from many countries. Among them were international students studying the intricacies of the language at leading Russian universities, including Derzhavin University, RUDN University, and MAI, as well as at educational institutions in Lipetsk, Tyumen, and Elista. They were joined by schoolchildren and students from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, China, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Algeria. This confirms the genuine interest in Russian culture abroad.
– I really like the Russian language: it's beautiful, although the grammar is challenging. "I love the sound of words, Russian music, and songs. My dream is to speak Russian fluently so I can watch Russian films in the original," shared Quartey Ammishaddai Junior, a preparatory student at Derzhavin University from Ghana.
In the VKontakte community, festival participants presented a variety of creative projects dedicated to the classic poet's legacy: illustrations, posters, portraits, dramatizations, poetry readings, and romances based on the poet's verses.
"I love the Russian language because it is the language of Pushkin and Tolstoy. I want to receive a good education in Russia, and I discover something new every day. I really enjoy communicating with Russians; they are wonderful people," said Nancy Amos, a preparatory student at Derzhavin University Rogers from Tanzania. "At the festival, I presented a film based on 'The Tale of Tsar Saltan.' Swans are not found in the wild in my country, but in Pushkin's works, this bird can speak and even grant wishes." Thanks to these classes, I discovered the incredible world of Pushkin's fairy tales, and now I want to read them all. Thank you, Russia, for these miracles!
Following the competition, the winners of the audience vote and the best participants were determined.
"The festival's scale is growing every year, and this is inspiring. We believe that learning Russian should be accompanied by a deep immersion in Russian culture, literature, and an introduction to the genius of A.S. Pushkin. Our project offers a unique opportunity to promote Russian cultural heritage abroad," noted Olga Dronova, coordinator of the online festival and head of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language at Derzhavin University.
