On 14 June, the InteRussia Fellowship for international specialists in Russian Studies concluded in Moscow. The program was organized by the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute and the Gorchakov Fund. This year, the program brought together young researchers and educators from 16 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The closing ceremony took place at the Pushkin Institute. Addressing the participants, Rector of the Institute Nikita Gusev thanked the fellows for their contribution to the promotion of the Russian language beyond Russia and expressed hope for continued professional cooperation and the development of a unified expert support system for the international community of Russian Studies specialists.
«I hope that this month in Moscow has become an important milestone for you both professionally and personally. We will always be pleased to welcome you back to the Pushkin Institute and continue our cooperation. Our faculty members are ready to work with you in any format. In November, the Kostomarov Forum dedicated to the Institute’s 60th anniversary will take place. We invite you to participate in this major academic event», said Nikita Gusev.
On behalf of the Gorchakov Fund, Deputy Executive Director Viktoria Karslieva congratulated the participants on successfully completing the program.
«It is important that the connections established here do not end with the fellowship. Stay in touch, share your achievements, and support joint projects. Such personal and professional ties form the foundation for long-term cooperation and the development of Russian Studies worldwide», emphasized Viktoria Karslieva.
Throughout the month, the fellows worked with leading faculty members and researchers of the Pushkin Institute, exploring contemporary approaches to teaching Russian as a foreign language, digital tools in philology, communicative linguistics, Russian linguistic culture, and other key areas of Russian Studies.
An important component of the program was participation in the 27th International Scientific and Practical Conference Cyril and Methodius Readings and the academic session Philological Universe, where participants were introduced to current research conducted by Russian and international scholars.
The fellowship also featured a cultural and educational program. Participants visited the Slovo Pavilion at VDNH, the Library for Foreign Literature, Leo Tolstoy’s Estate Museum in Khamovniki, the Peredelkino House of Creativity Museum Estate, and the Gzhel Porcelain Factory. A special highlight was a series of events dedicated to Russian Language Day, which provided deeper insight into contemporary approaches to promoting Russian culture and literature.
The program concluded with presentations of research projects conducted under the supervision of experts from the Pushkin Institute. Participants showcased their work on current issues in Russian Studies, linguistics, and the teaching of Russian as a foreign language. Authors of the best projects will be invited to participate in the 6th Kostomarov Forum, to be held in autumn 2026. The Forum traditionally brings together leading Russian and international experts in the fields of the Russian language, literature, and philological education.
According to Bayram Gutlyyev, a participant from Turkmenistan, one of the most valuable outcomes of the fellowship was the opportunity to establish professional connections:
«The main result of InteRussia is that I gained much more than a line on my CV. I built meaningful professional connections, acquired experience confirmed by tangible results, and developed a strong personal motivation to continue cooperation with Russia. I have stopped being a tourist in science and become an active participant in it».
Bhagya Matarahéwage, a participant from Sri Lanka, also shared her impressions of the program:
«This was my first fellowship, and I never imagined that I would be selected. When I arrived, I was genuinely surprised by the respect and appreciation shown to us. We gained valuable knowledge, met outstanding professors, and visited remarkable places. I was able to experience the depth of Russian literature. It was an unforgettable experience, and I will never forget the people who made it possible».
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.