For three days, a section of Kenyans experienced a Russian atmosphere during the Days of Russian Language and Culture event held at the Sarit Centre. Participants explored Russia’s rich heritage through exhibitions, masterclasses, and interactive sessions designed to engage, inspire, and connect. It was also an opportunity to discover educational prospects, showcase language skills, and enjoy a glimpse of Russia’s arts and traditions.
The Sarit Centre was adorned with photo posters depicting architectural and natural landmarks, as well as representations of various peoples of Russia. Photos provided by the Russian Geographical Society and the press service of TSPU enabled Kenyans to better visualize and appreciate the urban diversity and beauty of Russia’s landscapes. A photo zone featuring a Siberian winter landscape became one of the most popular attractions, while a two-metre matryoshka doll captivated hundreds, particularly the younger generation, with its vibrancy.
A special atmosphere was created by TSPU officials, who wore traditional clothing including sundresses and kerchiefs, and actively ushered guests to the table to sample famous traditional cuisine, including pirozhki with various fillings, pancakes, and sushki, making the event memorable.
The event was attended by the Ambassador-Designate of the Russian Federation in Kenya, Vsevolod Tkachenko, as well as the Director of the Kenyan Institute of Foreign Languages and Professional Studies, Hassan Omar Kinyua, teachers and staff from both universities, media representatives, and local residents.
Cultural and Educational Programme
Throughout the three days, Kenyans actively engaged with the folk arts and crafts of Russia, crafting wooden houses in a workshop titled “Izba in Miniature” while listening to stories about the lives of the Russian people, both past and present. Participants painted souvenirs in various styles, including Khokhloma and Gzhel, and assembled seamless dolls.
Representatives from Russian universities, including Greater Tomsk University, participated in the programme to introduce Kenyans to educational programmes and opportunities for foreigners in Russia. On the first day, presentations were delivered by ITMO University, Novosibirsk State University, Perm Polytechnic University, TUSUR, St. Petersburg Peter the Great Polytechnic University, and St. Petersburg State University. On the second day, Ural Federal University, TSU, and TPU showcased their offerings. Kenyan citizens were particularly engaged by the segment featuring a Kenyan graduate student from Tomsk Polytechnic University, who spent an hour addressing questions about studying in Russia, the climate, and job prospects.
The event, which took place simultaneously in other African capitals, aimed to promote the Russian language across the continent. Teachers from TSPU presented the educational and methodological complex “Russian Language for Kenyan Students (Elementary Level)”, commonly used by those pursuing Russian language courses at the Centre for Open Education in Russian and Russian language teaching.
A contest for the best performance of Russian poetry was also presented for attendees. Participants recited works by Alexander Pushkin, Evgeny Yevtushenko, Fyodor Tyutchev, and Robert Rozhdestvensky, and sang popular songs such as “Katyusha”, “Mother Earth”, and even the anthem of the Russian Federation. Jury members praised the high calibre of all participants, and everyone received souvenirs from Russia.
Kenyans with a higher level of proficiency joined the Russian Language Olympiad, completing both the written segment and the oral interview. The winners were awarded trophies and valuable prizes.
Professor Vadim Zyubanov remarked, “The Days of Russian Language and Culture in Kenya ended with great success; we managed to attract more than 350 participants. The event became a vivid example of intercultural dialogue and demonstrated a deep interest in Russian culture, language, and educational opportunities. Such projects are necessary and important, as they not only promote the popularization of the Russian language and culture abroad but also strengthen cultural and educational ties between our countries, opening new horizons for mutual cooperation.”
For Kenyan citizens interested in studying Russian and learning more about Russia, the university team announced it has established a website where materials and contacts for participating universities will be posted, highlighting upcoming events, educational opportunities, and other initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation between Russia and Kenya.
The project was made possible through the collaboration of TSPU and the Foundation for the Support of Humanities “My History,” with assistance from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kenya, along with Russian universities and the Russian Geographical Society, contributed photographic materials for the event.
