On November 5, the final test of Russian as a foreign language was held at ETIC University in Abidjan. This year, students are taking the exam not only to receive A1 level certificates but also A2. The written part of the test is over, and we wish the students success in the speaking part!

A pleasant surprise for ETIC students after the test was a film screening organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The documentary film «The weddings people celebrate» by Natalia Kadyrova, produced with the support of the RT television channel, once again sparked genuine interest among Ivorian students. Before the screening, H.E. Alexey Eduardovich Saltykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, gave an introductory speech.

A particularly vivid moment was the discussion of certain parts of the film. The students eagerly asked questions about some traditions, such as the bride price (or «vykup nevesty»), traditional wedding food, and wearing the wedding ring on the right hand. The students noted that Russia is a multinational country where, just like in Côte d’Ivoire, dozens of ethnic groups live together, yet consider themselves a single and united nation. At the end of the discussion, everyone came to the common conclusion that it is not people who preserve traditions, but traditions that preserve people.