Enlightenment and morality: the republican stage of the Christmas readings took place at KRSU
A plenary meeting of the Republican stage of the XXXIV International Christmas educational readings on the topic «Enlightenment and morality: personality formation and challenges of the time» was held at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.
The event opened with a performance by the bishop's choir of the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Bishkek and a video about the life of the Bishkek and Kyrgyz diocese.
Bishop Savvaty of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan addressed the participants with a welcoming speech:
«Thank you to the all-merciful God for what today has given us, when we can think about the soul, about morality, about eternity. Our friendship with Russia is based not only on prudence and common values, but also on a historical basis —on the common destiny of the peoples of the Eurasian land».
Advisor to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Kyrgyzstan Sergei Khramov emphasized the relevance of the forum topic:
«Education is especially important today, which helps a person not to get lost in a world where technological progress can be both for good and for harm. Russia and Kyrgyzstan combine traditional spiritual and moral values that help preserve humanity in people».
The head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in Kyrgyzstan, Albert Zulkharneev, noted the importance of humanitarian dialogue and the educational mission of education:
«Traditional values — this is the basis of life and humanism, when man, as the image of God, is at the center of the world order. Education without education does not work — and today it is the teacher who stands at the center of any educational system. Russia and Kyrgyzstan share the same spiritual guidelines —family, mercy, mutual assistance, respect for traditions».
On behalf of the rector of KRSU Sergei Volkov, the participants were greeted by the vice-rector for youth and information policy Stanislav Kulikov:
«Immersing our students in the good deeds that the diocese is engaged in — an important task. Raising students — is a common cause, and it depends on us what the future of youth will be like. At university, we try to create an environment where spiritual development becomes a natural part of education».
Leonid Sumarokov, director of the Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage KRSU, presented a report on the topic «Russia in Kyrgyzstan: first steps in the land of Manas». He noted that the study is devoted to events 170 years ago related to the entry of the Bugu tribe into Russia.
The event was attended by representatives of government bodies, clergy and public organizations, including the National Agency for Religious Affairs under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Assembly of Peoples of Kyrgyzstan, and the International Union of Soviet Officers named after I.V. Stalin, the Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage KRSU, as well as the public association of women «Mutakalim».
Participants noted that Christmas readings are becoming an important platform for uniting spiritual and educational traditions, strengthening the dialogue of cultures and forming moral guidelines for modern youth.
The Republican stage of the readings was part of the preparations for the XXXIV International Christmas Educational Readings, which will be held in January 2026 in Moscow.
