On May 25, the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute hosted the strategic session «Language Opens the World to Us» for participants of the sixth InteRussia Fellowship in Russian Language. The event formed part of the Institute’s Spring Academic Session «The Philological Universe» and brought together young scholars from different countries to discuss innovative approaches to promoting the Russian language and culture internationally.
The session was moderated by Irina Leshutina, Professor of the Department of Methods of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language. She explained that both the concept and title of the event were inspired by the words of the founder of the Pushkin Institute, Academician Vitaly Kostomarov: «Language opens the world to us».
«Today we will be developing a strategy for promoting the Russian language around the world: we will create, propose ideas, and build teams», she said.
The strategic session was designed as an interactive platform where participants could combine academic expertise with creative thinking. It consisted of three stages: team-building activities, project development, and final presentations. Working in international groups, the fellows explored practical ways of increasing interest in the Russian language among young people and broader audiences abroad.
«Today we will be developing a strategy for promoting the Russian language around the world: we will create, propose ideas, build teams, design projects, and present them», she said.
Among the most notable proposals was the project «LingvoFriend» developed by the team «Philolovers». The initiative aims to integrate elements of the Russian language into urban environments through murals, graffiti, and public art featuring famous literary characters, cultural references, and popular Russian expressions. By scanning QR codes placed on these art objects, passers-by could access digital resources and learn more about Russian culture, literature, and history. The team believes that combining contemporary urban art with educational content could inspire greater interest in learning Russian among international audiences.
Another group, «Logos», presented the concept of an international theatre competition entitled «Russian Season» The project would encourage school and university students from different countries to stage performances based on Russian literary works and cultural themes. Participants suggested that such a competition could strengthen intercultural dialogue while helping young people engage with Russian language and literature through creative practice and performance.
The discussions demonstrated that language promotion can take many forms beyond traditional classroom instruction. Participants explored how cultural diplomacy, public art, digital technologies, theatre, and educational initiatives can work together to create new opportunities for language learning and cultural exchange.
By the end of the session, participants agreed that many of the proposed initiatives could be integrated into a larger international project aimed at promoting Russian language and culture through multiple creative channels. In recognition of their efforts and presentations, each team received books on Russian culture as commemorative gifts.
The fellows specialize in three academic tracks: linguistics, literature and methods of teaching Russian as a foreign language. Throughout the month-long program, participants attend lectures, workshops, and master classes devoted to current issues in Russian language education and literary studies. They also take part in an extensive cultural and educational program featuring museum visits, meetings with scholars and cultural figures, and events dedicated to Russian Language Day.
The fellowship will conclude with presentations of the participants’ own research projects, providing an opportunity for young scholars to showcase their work, exchange ideas with colleagues, and strengthen international academic cooperation in the field of Russian studies.
The InteRussia Fellowship in Russian Studies is implemented by Mezhdunarodniki Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation in cooperation with the Gorchakov Fund and the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute with grant support from the Presidential Grants Foundation.
The session was moderated by Irina Leshutina, Professor of the Department of Methods of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language. She explained that both the concept and title of the event were inspired by the words of the founder of the Pushkin Institute, Academician Vitaly Kostomarov: «Language opens the world to us».
«Today we will be developing a strategy for promoting the Russian language around the world: we will create, propose ideas, and build teams», she said.
The strategic session was designed as an interactive platform where participants could combine academic expertise with creative thinking. It consisted of three stages: team-building activities, project development, and final presentations. Working in international groups, the fellows explored practical ways of increasing interest in the Russian language among young people and broader audiences abroad.
«Today we will be developing a strategy for promoting the Russian language around the world: we will create, propose ideas, build teams, design projects, and present them», she said.
Among the most notable proposals was the project «LingvoFriend» developed by the team «Philolovers». The initiative aims to integrate elements of the Russian language into urban environments through murals, graffiti, and public art featuring famous literary characters, cultural references, and popular Russian expressions. By scanning QR codes placed on these art objects, passers-by could access digital resources and learn more about Russian culture, literature, and history. The team believes that combining contemporary urban art with educational content could inspire greater interest in learning Russian among international audiences.
Another group, «Logos», presented the concept of an international theatre competition entitled «Russian Season» The project would encourage school and university students from different countries to stage performances based on Russian literary works and cultural themes. Participants suggested that such a competition could strengthen intercultural dialogue while helping young people engage with Russian language and literature through creative practice and performance.
The discussions demonstrated that language promotion can take many forms beyond traditional classroom instruction. Participants explored how cultural diplomacy, public art, digital technologies, theatre, and educational initiatives can work together to create new opportunities for language learning and cultural exchange.
By the end of the session, participants agreed that many of the proposed initiatives could be integrated into a larger international project aimed at promoting Russian language and culture through multiple creative channels. In recognition of their efforts and presentations, each team received books on Russian culture as commemorative gifts.
The fellows specialize in three academic tracks: linguistics, literature and methods of teaching Russian as a foreign language. Throughout the month-long program, participants attend lectures, workshops, and master classes devoted to current issues in Russian language education and literary studies. They also take part in an extensive cultural and educational program featuring museum visits, meetings with scholars and cultural figures, and events dedicated to Russian Language Day.
The fellowship will conclude with presentations of the participants’ own research projects, providing an opportunity for young scholars to showcase their work, exchange ideas with colleagues, and strengthen international academic cooperation in the field of Russian studies.
The InteRussia Fellowship in Russian Studies is implemented by Mezhdunarodniki Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation in cooperation with the Gorchakov Fund and the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute with grant support from the Presidential Grants Foundation.
