On June 4th, the second day of the «I Love Russia» Festival took place. Pupils from the Muguet primary school (Abidjan) participated in workshops on urban landscapes and traditional Russian crafts. The children examined watercolor paintings of Russian city views with great interest, familiarizing themselves with architecture unusual for them. But most of all, the students looked forward to picking up brushes and creating their own paintings on spoons or matryoshkas. The resulting artworks were very unique in color and pattern, as the children incorporated artistic ideas from their own people. The workshop concluded with a tasting of Tula gingerbread and the presentation of gifts. The schoolchildren gave interviews to journalists, sharing their impressions of the meeting with Russian teachers (Yulia Butko, Lyudmila Titova, Danil Svyatokho, Elizaveta Antipova) and the new experience of painting Russian toys.

Simultaneously, at UMECI University, a lecture by Elena Boychuk about the work of the Center for Open Education and the prospects for studying in Russia, particularly at Yaroslavl universities in various fields of study, was held for students and their parents.

On June 5th, the closing ceremony of the «I Love Russia» Festival was held at UMECI University in Abidjan. The Festival’s diverse program offered not only cultural events but also educational and outreach activities.

Thus, on the third and final day, a lecture in French by Professor Elena Igorevna Boychuk on rhythm in prose text took place. The lecture was attended by over 100 Ivorian students and teachers, who showed genuine interest in contemporary philological research.

The festival marathon concluded with a subtitled screening in French of the video performance «Station Remember» by the YSPU theater-studio «Klyuch,» dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The closing ceremony was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Côte d’Ivoire Alexey Eduardovich Saltykov, President of the Methodist University Mr. Gnalega Makagnon René, and the university administration.

Another grand event in Côte d’Ivoire, conducted by YSPU teachers, has concluded.

We thank the entire team of our university, everyone who participated in the preparation and implementation of the Festival. We thank our partners in Abidjan, who unite through our events and presence in the Republic. We thank the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Côte d’Ivoire and, of course, the «My History» Foundation, which made this festival possible!