On September 15 House of Peoples’ Friendship hosted the ceremony of opening Center of Chinese Language and Culture on the basis of Kalashnikov ISTU and Center of Russian Language and Culture on the basis of Qilu Normal University (Shandong Province, China). The online event was simultaneously arranged in three regions (Shandong Province, Udmurt Republic and Kirov region) under the auspices of Shandong Province and its Ministry for Foreign Affairs with the invitation of representatives of Russian and Chinese embassies and administrations of both Russian regions.

The Udmurt Republic was represented by Minister for National Policy of UR E.S. Petrov, Deputy Minister for National Policy of UR A.V. Filatov, Acting Rector of Kalashnikov ISTU A.V. Gubert, Head of Izhevsk Division of Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russia G.R. Mannanova. The video address was delivered by Minister of Education and Science of UR S.M. Bolotnikova.

The Chinese side was represented by Deputy Director of Department for Foreign Affairs of People’s Government of Shandong Province Sun Yebao, Director of International Division of Educational Department of Shandong Province Wang Fuhai and Secretary of Party Committee of Qilu Normal University Lin Sunbai.

The welcoming addresses from Kirov region were given by its Governor A.V. Sokolov and Rector of Vyatka State University V.N. Pugach.

Director of Institute of International Study Programs of Kalashnikov ISTU A.V. Ryabchikov commented the event, “Center of Chinese Language and Culture has its own address already – building 5, room 806.

In this center the language classes will be conducted both by Chinese and Russian teachers who know Chinese. The plan is to arrange 3 target groups: 1) ISTU teachers and students who will participate in mobility programs and joint projects; 2) Izhevsk schoolchildren who plan to study at ISTU on joint programs; 3) all citizens of Udmurt Republic who want to study Chinese with native speakers. The center will start functioning in November.

Eventually, the functioning of this center will help us not only to promote research, educational and cultural projects but also cooperation between the regions. At the same time, Center of Russian Language and Culture opened in Qilu and we will help it with our methodological literature…

Actually we have a broader view of the centers – not only within the two universities. When the idea to organize Wushu festival during the opening ceremony started up, as this is the symbol of Chinese culture and philosophy, the Chinese partners asked our colleagues from Vyatka University to take part in the event as well. Today they are taking part in Wushu festival program”.

As it happens at the opening or launching something new — the anthems were played, welcoming addresses were delivered, red ribbons (the symbol of success, expectations and hopes) were cut. Everything demonstrated serious intentions of the parties to continue cooperation.

The opening program also comprised the performance of “Chebelyay” with traditional Udmurt dances and Wushu festival with the participation of Federation of Wushu and Kung Fu of Udmurt Republic.