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10 years since the foundation of the Russian Centre of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar"

25 January 2019

 The Russian Centre of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" celebrates today its 10th   anniversary. The first Balkan Centre for studying and promoting the Russian language and culture was created in 2009 with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. The work of the Foundation with VFU is a sign of recognition of the high rating and prestige of the university in Bulgaria and Europe.

For the celebration, the Russian Centre invited the academic elite, public figures, diplomats and friends. A special greeting was sent to Prof. Anna Nedyalkova, D.Sc. - Chairperson of the Board of Trustees by Vladimir Kochin - Executive Director of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. It reads: "For 10 years, the Centre's purposeful work and the support of Varna Free University and the Russkiy Mir Foundation have enabled the creation of an active intellectual point for the study of the Russian language in Bulgaria. The annual International Qualification School "Modern Pedagogical Technologies in the Training of  Russian as a Foreign Language" became an identifying mark of the modern Russian Studies in Bulgaria. "

The International Qualification School is the great achievement of VFU. It is the only methodological school in Europe where 560 young Russian studies specialists from all over the world have been certified for 10 years. The Centre welcomed attendees from over 30 European and Asian universities. There were 140 different educational forms - lectures, master classes, methodological seminars and practices, 25 round table discussions. Four compendiums, two monographs, and 34 publications in scientific journals have been published.

For its first 10 years, the Centre's team, led by Prof. Galina Shamonina, PhD, has implemened a number of successful projects related to the Russian language training and qualification of Russian-studies specialists from all over Bulgaria. Many of them come back again to VFU together with their students.



As part of the programme entitled Professor of the Russkiy Mir implemented by the Russian Centre, some of the most prestigious scientists in Russia have visited the university, including Prof. Andreyi Vladimirovich Zagorski - National Research Institute for World Economics and International Relations  at the RAS, Professor Mihail Valerievich Shubenkov - Deputy Rector of the Moscow Architectural Institute (MARKHI), Prof. Evgeniy Mihailovich Kozhokin - Deputy Rector of MGIMO. And only a month ago, the students had the unique opportunity to attend a lecture course led by a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Alexey Anatolievich Gromiko, Director of the Institute for Europe at the RAS, who became an honorary professor at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" .

VFU student teams take part annually at the International Festival of Students Studying Russian. They defend the name of the university by winning awards. Eight youngsters from VFU were part of the Bulgarian group at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi in 2017. The Russian Centre has its scholar holders; many students are supported for participating in a number of international forums.

At the initiative of the university, memorable exhibitions, book presentations, reading marathons and concerts are held. The concert of the Varna Opera held on the eve of 24 May 2018, presenting the masterpieces of the Russian romance left lasting impression.

Every year, the President of VFU Assoc. Prof. Krassimir Nedyalkov, PhD supports the march to Shipka on the occasion of 3 March, implemented by the Russian Centre and the Student Council.

On the eve of the celebration, Prof. Galina Shamonina, PhD, who was awarded the Pushkin Medal at the end of 2017 with President's Decree of Vadimir Putin, said: "The Russian Centre has become the spiritual heart of the university, a centre that connects two close cultures and traditions. It gives a lot to young people by expanding their knowledge, culture and worldview."