30 March 2016 the European Fund of Slavic literacy and culture in Bratislava with the support of the fund Russkiy Mir held the opening of the Russian centre. In this context, Rosijskije vesti are bringing for their readers an interview with the Executive Director of the fund Russkiy Mir, Vladimir Viačeslavovič Kočin.
Vladimir, recently created a lot of different conjectures about Russkiy Mir, often absurd and sometimes provocative. What do you think about it?
Russkiy mir is not a political but philosophical concept. Belonging to it is not determined by ethnic group, religion or place of residence. Russkiy Mir - is the Russian civilization in its spiritual, cultural and historical significance. Belonging to the Russky Mir - it's a kind of feeling of internal self-determination of man, which is based on a common history, shared values and a sense of belonging to Russia. In order for a person to join Russky Mir, he doesn’t need a passport or visa. It is a community that connects not only Russians, but also expatriates and foreigners who seem sincere interest in Russia, the Russian language, history and culture. What is Russkiy Mir seen on May 9, when they come to the square children and grandchildren of veterans with portraits of heroes of World War II, and also on July 6, when around the world is read poetry in Russian of Pushkin. It connects us all on sight, a sense of respect and gratitude to our ancestors who left their mark in world history, culture, art and science. I often say: "Russkiy Mir, it is a fate."
Tell us what fund Russkiy Mir deals with?
Fund Russkiy Mir is a non-profit organization. The Fund will support projects related to the promotion of the Russian language and culture abroad. We are working on the same field with the British Council Slovakia, the Goethe Institute, the Cervantes Institute and others similar institutions. It must be said that among these organizations we are the youngest. For example, the Goethe Institute was opened back in the fifties and we started to operate in 2007. We have different basic conditions and therefore we need to catch up. They are of course things that we envy them. Goethe Institute for example has long formed a branched network worldwide. Only in Russia, Goethe Institute has more than 40 centres, which are located practically in every university, where they teach German language. We also have unmatched budgets. The grants support only every tenth request that will come to us – it is just not enough funding.
Fund Russkiy Mir does not have offices or branches abroad. We can operate solely on the basis of partnership. And I am proud to say that our fund partners, more than 3,500 organizations in Russia and abroad. This is an invaluable potential that we have built over the activities of our Fund.
What are the forms of work which the Fund does?
The priority of our activity is subsidy program, the program of creating Russian centres and cabinets of Russkiy Mir, educational programs, international events and project information. The Fund started its activity thanks to a grant, at the moment the number of projects that we support around the world is more than 2000. With our help has been created and published new textbooks, manuals and educational-methodical complexes, annually organize major forums, conferences and festivals. We also support cultural and educational projects of Russian schools, organizations of compatriots and Russian-language media.
You said that the Fund has no subsidiaries abroad, but yet you mentioned creating Russian centres as one of their most important tasks. Is not that a contradiction?
It is not a contradiction. Creating Russian centres is the one number project of Fund, based on partnership with the World universities, libraries, educational institutions.
How it looks like in practice? Conclude agreements - for example, with a local university. In accordance with the agreement offered by our partner place, access to the internet, appointing staff, and we equip centre with equipment, literature, methods of work, access to Russian media, television channels.
The Russian centre conditions are created for effective educational activities organized by the school and Russian courses, performs testing and preparation for teaching. Many centres have become creative and communicative platforms. There are interest clubs, exhibitions are organized, film screenings, discussions and round-table meetings. To date we opened 106 centres in 46 countries. I am sure that the Russian Centre in Bratislava will become one of the great cultural centres of Slovakia.
Do you see a change of attitude towards Russia among young Europeans? Are you planning this year some projects that might involve in young people who are interested in Russian culture and language?
Regarding Europe, even within single country approach of different groups of people may vary quite considerably. In some parts of Europe under the influence of propaganda approaches could worsen, attitudes deteriorate, but no radical changes in our centres were taken. Young people who want to know a second language of the world still come to Russian courses, care about our literature, music, cinema.
Despite a difficult financial situation, we try not to disturb any projects for young people. In 2016 starts the action "Peace Generation", which will include a run contest for the best essay and international competition for young journalists. In September will be held in Varna European festival of students learning Russian language "Friends! Beautiful is our union, "We supported the action" total dictation ". In 2015, he wrote this diktat in 58 countries, but the number of countries in which it is organized, year after year increases.
It should be noted that the Fund have a sufficiently high demand for teachers of Russian language and, above all, after the Russian language as the people in the local language in European educational institutions. Letters with similar pleas Fund receives practically almost every day. It could be educational institutions of different levels: primary and secondary schools, and universities. I hope that in 2016 the Fund will have the opportunity to help the Russian school and continue to implement the program of detachments on missions to foreign educational institutions. This project has been successfully implemented since 2014 in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. It is very important not to stop and interrupt the execution of projects. As shown in practice - those who learn Russian language will keep a good lifetime with Russia and its culture.
Why do you think it is so important that Russian centre has to be opened in Bratislava?
Thank you for good question. These two brotherly nations are historically linked. They are united not only by the events of military history, but also through Russian and Slovak scientists, and public figures. In Russia they remember Professor Michael Baluďanský, who became rector of St. Peterburgsk University, well-known artist Igor Grabara, and many other people from the heart of Europe. In recent years, development of humanitarian ties remains high. Successful also work Slovak Rusist’s. I know that now young people in Slovakia chose to study as second foreign language Russian. And our task is to help them with this, give the opportunity to learn more about our country and our culture. After all, our children will continue cultural traditions and strengthening of relations between our countries.
Interview led by Vralimir Litarenko