The project "Russian Language Week in Slovakia" concluded with a Folklore Day.
Russian songs, dances, round dances, and games — all these elements bring students closer to our national culture and traditions. The event was organized and led by director and Chairwoman of the NGO "Ruslana," Maria Vladimirova from Martin, alongside Vladimir and Valentina Zelenina from Bratislava, founders of the Belarusian folklore ensemble "Prasnica" (in Russian, "Spinning Wheel").
The song and dance celebration was attended by two classes from the Bratislava Einstein Gymnasium. Some of the students were Russian-speaking, while others had only recently started learning the Russian language. For this reason, a playful format was chosen, incorporating movement, music, and songs to familiarize them with the language and culture of our people. The students had fun, sang, and danced! They ran to grab a drink of water and sneak a Russian candy into their mouths.
Guests of the Folklore Day joined the gymnasium students as well. Among them were students from the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra and students from the Music and Drama Department of a private secondary school in Martin. The charismatic young artist from Bratislava, Ekaterina Grishakova, also participated in the festivities. A vernissage of her paintings, arranged for the Folklore Day, added color and joy to the celebration held in the Aircraft Gallery.
An introduction to traditional Russian costumes and their attributes became another exciting element of Folklore Day. Students had the chance to try on costumes and participate in a photo session conducted by professional photographer Vyacheslav Shambazov.
The European Foundation for Slavic Literature and Culture once again warmly welcomed gymnasium students learning the Russian language to the Aircraft Gallery. Live interactive meetings accompanied by folk music should become a cherished tradition of the Foundation!
N. Yadryshnikova