News in Press-centre

The Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) hosted a series of events dedicated to the celebration of International Francophonie Day. The festival was traditionally organized by the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology of the FEFU Institute of Oriental Studies – School of Regional and International Studies (OI-SRIS), as well as the branch of the international organization "Alliance Française" in Vladivostok.

During the week, FEFU OI-SRIS students studying French participated in interactive lessons and workshops, dedicated to the culture and cuisine of French-speaking countries. French-speaking students from Africa studying at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) joined in the celebration as well. As part of the university's French-speaking club, the African students mingled with attendees, sharing information about their home countries and helping everyone practice their French language skills.

The week of Francophonie at FEFU ended with the bright festival "French of the Five Continents: Gastronomic Tourism", which brought together FEFU students from different countries. In addition, students from the International Linguistic School in Vladivostok joined the festival. The organizers emphasized the key idea of the event: culture, including national cuisine, is capable of uniting people from different continents.

The students presented creative performances in French and met with representatives from the diplomatic world – Honorary Consul of the French Republic Elena Nikitina and attaché of the representative office of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vladivostok Alexander Sokolov. The guests thanked the team of the Far Eastern Federal University for the long-term training of specialists who speak French perfectly.

"Every year at the end of March, the whole world traditionally celebrates International Francophonie Day – a holiday for everyone who speaks French, who studies it, and who is interested in the culture of French-speaking countries. French is one of the three most studied foreign languages in Russia, with the added distinction of being taught in Vladivostok. I wish those who are currently studying French further success in understanding this beautiful and melodious language, and I would like to thank the professors for their hard work, endless patience, and high professionalism!" said Alexander Sokolov.

Vega Sergeeva, Director of "Alliance Française – Vladivostok", also addressed the students. She presented certificates to FEFU OI-SRIS students who took part in the regional stage of the Federal Translation Competition dedicated to International Francophonie Day. Julia Sambur, a 4th–year student of the Linguistics (Translation and Translation Studies: European Languages) major, became the winner of this competition - now she will be able to go on a summer linguistic internship in Kazan.

"On behalf of the university administration and on my own behalf, I want to congratulate Yulia on her victory! The award and upcoming linguistic internship are expected to aid her professional development in the chosen field. For many years we have been creating an open multicultural environment in which our students acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge to communicate with foreigners, so they annually take prizes in translation competitions. We see potential in such students, and we know that each of them will contribute to the development of mutually beneficial relations between Russia and other countries," noted Olga Nikolaeva, FEFU OI-SRIS Head of the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology.

It is worth mentioning that International Francophonie Day has been celebrated in FEFU since 1999. For 26 years the university has been teaching French and training highly qualified specialists who are sought after by diplomatic, commercial, and scientific organizations. Far Eastern Federal University is constantly strengthening international relations, confirming the status of the flagship of Russian education abroad. Due to a wide network of contacts and expertise, the university intends to consolidate its leadership among Russian universities as a point of highest proximity to the countries and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region.