On November 13, the Festival of Science and Arts «I Love Russia» was held at the Center for Open Education of Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University (YSPU) in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) on the premises of the Methodist University of Abidjan.

The festival brought together students and pupils from ETIC University, the Methodist University of Abidjan, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, the University Institute of Abidjan, as well as schoolchildren (Le Muguet School) and teachers from partner universities in Abidjan and Yaroslavl.

The goal of the festival was to promote the Russian language and Russian culture in West African countries and to foster a positive attitude toward Russia by introducing African schoolchildren and students to Russian culture and art through cultural dialogue.

The festival format included satellite venues where our teachers and staff—Grigory Alexandrovich Filippov, Khristina Gennadyevna Kosogorova, Elena Vladimirovna Mishenkina, Lyudmila Anatolyevna Titova, Elizaveta Mayorova, and Danil Svyatokho—introduced Ivorian students to the features of Russian culture and traditions.

The venues featured an exhibition area of drawings by African schoolchildren and students titled «I Draw Russia,» a cinema hall for watching video adaptations of Ushinsky’s fairy tales performed by YSPU students, a photo zone with Ded Moroz and Snegurochka for taking pictures, a play area with Russian games for children, and a Russian cuisine section with Russian tea from a genuine samovar and treats from Russia. A masterclass on playing Russian folk instruments was also held.

The main venue of the festival hosted a grand concert program, featuring performances by Russian teachers and African students with Russian songs, dances, and poetry. Ivorian students also showcased the beauty and uniqueness of local traditions through their folk dances.

On the eve of the festival, a press conference for teachers and students of Côte d’Ivoire was held at the A.S. Pushkin Cultural Center of Ephrata University, which also expressed readiness to collaborate with Yaroslavl Pedagogical University. Professor Elena Igorevna Boichuk of YSPU presented the key results of the Center for Open Education’s work over two years and discussed prospects for joint interaction and cooperation between YSPU and universities in Abidjan.

Additionally, as part of the festival, the results of the professional development program for partner university teachers on the use of ICT in education, led by YSPU instructors (e-course), were summarized. The outcomes of the «I Learn Russian» competition in Russian language and literature for schoolchildren and students were also announced.

The festival was organized with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the «My History» Foundation for Support of Humanitarian Sciences.