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From Russia to India: meeting of cultures of different countries at USUE
USUE hosted the 1st Festival of the Peoples of the World. Representatives of seven countries told the guests of the event about their cultures, demonstrating national costumes and holding master classes.
Today, at the USUE House of Culture, the farmsteads of the peoples of Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and India were presented. Visitors regarded national clothes, household items, and jewelry with interest, and could try on costumes and hold exhibits in their hands. There were especially many men near the stand of the Center for Cossack Culture of the Orenburg Military Cossack Society in Yekaterinburg. The center’s specialist Alexander Mezenin showed and taught those who wished the techniques of sabring. “We are presenting an exposition comprising household items. Weapons are an integral part of the life of a Cossack, so today I’m talking about how a Cossack saber differs from the rest and revealing weapon secrets,” Alexander Mezenin said.
Near the stand of the Republic of Kazakhstan, one could feel the weight of a military bow with one’s own hands. With special interest, students examined old handmade dishes and the national decorations of the Kazakhs. The stand was designed by the Kazakh youth community, which includes students from USUE, USLU, and USMU.
A USUE student, Almira Ibraeva, regularly takes part in such events and speaks with pride about the culture of her people. “It is important for me to know the history of my ancestors and their achievements as fully as possible. This exhibition is special for me, because it takes place within the walls of the alma mater. And today I put on a Kazakh national dress with special pleasure,” Almira Ibraeva said.
Members of the Sitara dance club spoke about the culture of India. A team member, Ksenia Tarasova, told the guests fascinating stories about the appearance of sacred images worshiped by Hindus. Girls dressed in shiny saris displayed jewelry made of Tulsi. In India, it is believed that jewelry made from this tree brings good luck and prosperity.
Representatives of different nations and cultures willingly had pictures taken with festival visitors and allowed them to try on national clothes. A USUE student, Anastasia Osipova, is thrilled with the festival: “Today, for the first time, I tried on a real chain mail-armour and a wreath of a Belarusian bride. It seems to me a cool idea to organize such an event, because every nation has its own traditions. It is very interesting.”
The stand of the Republic of Mari El, for example, attracted the attention of the guests with the national costume of the bride. A headdress - takiya - is covered with silver circles (like coins) and cowrie shells to protect against the evil eye, and a festive dress is decorated with sparkling beads.
At the opening ceremony of the Festival, Nikita Vasilyev, head of the USUE Office for Social Work, addressed the audience on behalf of the university administration. He noted international students faced more challenges than their Russian counterparts did. They often need to learn the language, culture, and laws of the country from scratch. But all of them cope with this task, and the university is rightly proud of them.
Letters of thanks were awarded to organizations, associations and communities of small nations of Russia, as well as foreign states cooperating with USUE - Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, national autonomies, and associations of the Mari, Bashkirs, Udmurts, and other peoples of the Urals and Russia, as well as Orenburg Cossacks. The representatives of many farmsteads present received awards from the hands of the festival guest of honor, the first deputy president of the Association of International Students of the Russian Federation Alcidor Robinson.
At the festival, they announced the winners of the competition among foreign students of USUE for the best photo in the Russian folk costume. Among the girls, the winner was a Chinese Cheng Shi-Qi, among the boys–a Nigerian Ajayi Bernard Oladayo.
At the festival, they announced the winners of the competition among foreign students of USUE for the best photo in the Russian folk costume. Among the girls, the winner was a Chinese Cheng Shi-Qi, among the boys–a Nigerian Ajayi Bernard Oladayo.
The first Festival of the Peoples of the World was organized by Ural State University of Economics with the support of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. It is planned to hold the event annually.
