On November 15, the YSPU lecturers returned home tired but happy. This year, their program in the partner country was even more intensive. Lecturers Yu.V. Butko, L.A. Titova, and E.A. Mayorova implemented six additional general education programs in Russian language for students of YSPU’s partner universities (the Methodist University, ETIC University, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, and the University Institute of Abidjan): «Russian Language: Rich and Beautiful: How to Speak Russian Correctly,» «Great Cities of Russia: History and Modernity,» «Historical Milestones in the Development of the Russian State,» «Traditions and National Holidays of the Peoples of Russia,» «Once Upon a Time: Secrets of the Russian Fairy Tale,» and «Oh Sport, You Are the World: A Century of Sport in Russia».

The programs are designed to foster and develop Ivorian students’ interest in and respect for the Russian language and Russian culture.
Students at the universities of Abidjan learned about the history and diverse linguistic features of the Russian language, appreciated its beauty and power, and became acquainted with the origins of holidays and national traditions, as well as the daily life and culture of Russia’s indigenous peoples. The topic of church holidays and customs resonated deeply with the students, leading to lengthy discussions exploring the similarities and differences between our cultures.

The students were impressed by how much Russian people love winter and winter activities, spending a great deal of time outdoors even in the snow and frost. A dedicated lesson focused on the literary fairy tales of K.D. Ushinsky, whose characters are featured on posters at the Center for Open Education in Abidjan. The lecturers conducted educational and outreach events: the «Connoisseurs of the Russian Language» contest and the «Festival of Holidays: Russia and Côte d’Ivoire,» as well as proficiency testing in Russian based on the results of the educational programs.

Furthermore, on November 13, with the support of the Ministry of Education, the «My History» Foundation for Support of the Humanities, and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, a grand Festival of Science and Art, «I Love Russia,» was held.

It brought together students from four Center sites (ETIC University, the Methodist University of Abidjan, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, and the University Institute of Abidjan), as well as schoolchildren (Le Muguet School) and lecturers from partner universities in Abidjan and Yaroslavl. To conduct the festival, the following also traveled to Abidjan: Project Lead E.I. Boichuk, Advisor to the Rector G.A. Filippov, Head of the International Cooperation Department and Chair of the Romance Languages Department Kh.G. Kosogorova, and instructor D.O. Sviatokho.