On 22 October, at
Goethe Institute in Bordeaux, took place the inaugural meeting of the project
"Purposes and values of Russian cultural heritage in Russian language teaching
for adults in Europe (Parus) in the framework of the European programme (Grundtvig).
The event was hold in presence of Hungarian, Greek, Belgian and Turkish partners.
The Italian delegation was absent.
Igor Zhukovsky, president of the organisation "Russia-Aquitaine", the
initiator of this project, and Carmen Marcou, director of Goethe Institute of Bordeaux,
have welcomed the participants in the large meeting room decorated in the
colors of the European Union.
Visiting delegations presented their respective activities within the various
national structures: Russian language courses for children and adults, theatre performances
and folk dances, festivals, conferences ... All these events contribute to a
better understanding of Russian culture. The partners also stressed the
achievements and difficulties encountered in teaching the Russian language in
each country.
Then, Ms. Antonina Zhukovskaya, Project Coordinator, presented the main aspects of the project Parus. The Russian
cultural heritage in Europe represents an enrichment for many countries,
notably thanks to the immigration
of Russian elites.
As pointed out by Ms. Joukovskaya, as from now, each partner should work on the
presence of this heritage in his own country and integrate it in the teaching of Russian language under
various informative forms.
Mrs. E. Forest-Glazoff, President of the Stravinsky Company, evoked in her
speech the possibility to spread
the Russian musical heritage through the organisation of concerts of Russian classical
music with the participation of Russian and foreign musicians.
During the roundtable, partners clarified the division of tasks and timing of
future meetings.
The seminar has been completed with the presentation of the traditional
"karavail" (welcome bread).
The evening of friendship continued in the restaurant K Baroque in a friendly
and festive atmosphere.
***
On 23 October, the seminar ended with a visit to the Abbey of Faiz in the field
of Maurice Druon, French writer
with Russian roots. The visit, with kind permission of Madam Druon, agreed
perfectly with the spirit of the project Parus.
Participants tasted some local wines of the Chateau de Fronsac Jumaye and
Dauphine.
