Author: Interview by Ramin Naziyev, Baku, exclusive to VK
The Head of Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation) in Azerbaijan Enver Sheikhov talked to VK about the activities of the Russian Information and Culture Center (RICC) in Azerbaijan.
VK: What does RICC do in Azerbaijan?
ES: Rossotrudnichestvo aims at developing the humanitarian and social connections, but not all the countries have its cultural centers, only the representative offices. Azerbaijan was among the first place where the center was opened in 2009. In two years it became so popular among the creative groups and young people that the building became too small and in 2011 new 5-storey building was constructed. It has halls for concerts, movies, exhibitions and conferences, library. We have a methodical center of Russian language, the center of the innovational cooperation, educational center, Russian museum, virtual reading hall of the Presidential library of Boris Yeltsin. But the new building is again becoming too small for us. It reveals great interest towards Russian culture, and not only in Baku, but in the entire Azerbaijan, because participants for our projects come from across the country.
VK: Which were your goals when you started the center?
ES: Cooperation in the social and cultural spheres was our main goal. We organize events devoted to the important dates of our histories, exhibition, singing contests. Winning these competition allows young people to continue their education abroad. We send Azerbaijani teachers to take courses in Russia and the pupils to take part in the intellectual competitions. We also organize competitions in Russian language, Russian history, Azerbaijani language, the winners every summer go for some field trips in Russia. Russia finances it. These children visit Moscow, St. Petersburg, some towns of the Golden Ring for 10-12 days.
We also cooperate with the Azerbaijani Ministry of education in the projects supporting teaching Russian language. Every year we create a plan that is approved by the Russian Ambassador and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education. Pushkin competition is our traditional project. It involves about 100 schools. This year we started a projects "Scientists to children". Azerbaijani children will be introduced to science discoveries in different spheres. Of course one can find the necessary information from the Internet, but the live communication is always more useful. Every year we send about 50 people to study in Russia. Their education is financed by Russian state budget. They can study for free, receive stipend and housing, if they study well.
VK: How are these students chosen?
ES: We choose the students who are better prepared and can meet the requirements of the Russian Universities. These should be people who are fluent in Russian and have no "satisfactory" grades in the last years of school.
VK: Which projects were most important?
ES: The contest of the patriotic singing to the 65th Victory Anniversary, the Day of love, family and faithfulness. This holiday was invented in Russia in 2008, so we award the winner with the special medals sent from Russia, this is an official public award for love and faithfulness. The families that spent more than 25 years in marriage give a good example to young people about how to build their family life. Very popular is the Day of Russian language on June 6, Pushkin's birthday. Last year it took place on the stage of the Russian Drama Theatre. For four years we have a festival Yesenin's autumn. Within the framework of the Russian language program Russian professors come to give lectures and seminars not only in Baku but also in the regions - Gandja, Lenkoran, Zakatly, Sumgait.
To be continued
