An international forum «Russian Language Day» was held at KRSU
The Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU) hosted the International Forum «Russian Language Day at KRSU», dedicated to the International Russian Language Day and the 226th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.
The forum program included expert discussions and thematic platforms dedicated to the teaching of the Russian language, bilingual education, intercultural dialogue and humanitarian cooperation.
The event began with a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to the poet on the territory of the university, which was attended by honored guests - representatives of government bodies, the diplomatic corps, as well as the scientific and educational community of Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Central Asian countries.
The Russian language is a bridge between civilizations
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kyrgyz Republic Sergei Vakunov, in his welcoming speech, emphasized the importance of the Russian language as a tool of international communication, education and culture.
«Russian and Kyrgyz have mutually complemented and enriched each other for centuries. We can and should be proud of the richness of our language space, appreciate its benefits, turn to the Russian language and find a source of inspiration in it», the ambassador said.
Sergei Vakunov noted the active development of Russian-Kyrgyz humanitarian cooperation, highlighting the construction of a new campus KRSU, which will become the largest university campus in Central Asia, as a key joint project. Other significant initiatives include the construction of nine joint schools with Russian as the language of instruction, the supply of adapted textbooks and the «Russian Teacher Abroad» program.
The Ambassador especially emphasized that interaction between the two countries is of an equal nature: along with support for the Russian language, work is underway in Kyrgyzstan to preserve and study the Kyrgyz language. There is an office at Akmullin University in Ufa «Manas-Ural», at KRSU - the Center for Kyrgyz Language and Manas Studies, and at the Ural Federal University - the Center for Kyrgyz Studies.
Pushkin unites peoples
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan Latif Gandilov, in his address to the forum participants, called Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin the creator of the modern Russian language, who managed to organically combine folk speech and literary tradition. According to him, interest in studying the Russian language in Azerbaijan still remains high, and the works of the great poet continue to bring people of different countries and cultures closer together.
Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askhat Syzdykov called on the forum participants to take care of the language and culture of reading. «Watch the beauty of your language, take care of it and do not allow it to lose its expressiveness», he addressed the audience.
Bishop Savvaty of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan described the Russian language as a space of cultural and spiritual heritage that unites people of different nationalities. «The Russian language is not only a bridge between peoples and cultures, but also a bridge between civilizations», the bishop emphasized, recalling the contribution of Chingiz Torekulovich Aitmatov to the development of humanitarian dialogue.
During the forum, the rector of KRSU Sergei Volkov spoke. He noted the special role of the Russian language in the educational space of Kyrgyzstan and emphasized the importance of the work of teachers working with schoolchildren and students. «I am very grateful to the teachers, to those who work with schoolchildren and students as if on the front line», - said the rector.
Sergei Volkov reported that in the new academic year, 100 budget places have been allocated for pedagogical areas of KRSU. In addition, thanks to the support of ANO «Eurasia», the best students of pedagogical study programs will be able to receive a scholarship in the amount of 15 thousand rubles, which will be an additional measure of support for future teachers of the Russian language and subjects in Russian.
The rector paid special attention to the development of the secondary school KRSU. Today, the competition for training ranges from 5 to 28 people per place, depending on the class, which indicates a high interest in quality education and training in Russian.
According to Sergei Volkov, KRSU continues to implement educational and outreach projects aimed at supporting the Russian language, training in-demand specialists and strengthening humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
The speeches of the forum participants showed that the Russian language today remains not only the most important means of international communication, but also a significant factor in the development of educational, scientific and cultural cooperation in the Eurasian space.
Russian language as the basis of cooperation
Secretary General of the International Organization for the Russian Language (SEA) Natalya Bocharova in a video message emphasized the special role of the Russian language as one of the most imaginative, rich and expressive languages in the world. According to her, the celebration of Russian Language Day contributes to the development of international humanitarian cooperation, strengthening friendship and trust between peoples, and the Russian language has served as an important tool for dialogue between Russia and Kyrgyzstan for many years. It was especially emphasized that this year the SEA began practical activities, and the agreement on its creation was signed in 2023 at the CIS summit in Bishkek.
«The Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University is a unique interstate scientific and educational institution that unites the efforts of the two states to train personnel, and acts as a reliable partner of our organization as a platform for popularizing the Russian language», emphasized Natalya Bocharova.
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky addressed the forum participants with a video greeting. He highly appreciated the level of bilateral cooperation in the field of education and pointed out the special role of the official status of the Russian language in Kyrgyzstan. «The official status of the Russian language in the Kyrgyz Republic allows us to increase scientific and educational interaction, jointly train highly qualified personnel, and implement various scientific and educational projects, such as the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, whose campus is intended to become the largest in Central Asia in the future», - said the deputy minister.
Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Council of the ANO «Eurasia» Alena Arshinova in her video message called on KRSU students to perceive the Russian language not as a historical artifact, but as a living working tool. «The Russian language unites, it does not divide into friends and foes. It creates a common space for those who want to understand and be understood», she noted.
KRSU and RUDN signed a road map
As part of the business program of the forum, a roadmap of joint events for 2026 was signed between KRSU and the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The document was signed by the rector of KRSU Sergei Volkov and the director of the Institute of Russian Language of RUDN University Natalya Pomortseva.
The document provides for a wide range of educational, scientific and cultural initiatives: career guidance events for Kyrgyz schoolchildren, participation of KRSU students in RUDN University summer schools, organization of joint conferences and scientific seminars.
A separate block is devoted to the training of teaching staff. Advanced training programs for teachers, internships for young teachers and the development of a joint master's program in the field «Pedagogical Education» are planned. The parties also agreed to develop academic mobility and implement joint scientific publications.
