The fifth anniversary of the Russian cultural festival for foreign citizens "Russia – My Soul" took place at Moscow Polytechnic University. The event brought together international audience fr om Preparatory Departments at Russian universities, the Russian language learners and people interested in Russian literature, culture, and traditions.

The festival included an interactive lecture, a quiz, a tour of the National Center "Russia," a festive concert, and a contest of declaiming Russian poetry.

Following the selection process, 46 participants from 35 countries received the opportunity to perform on stage, including Mongolia, Mali, Cameroon, Iran, Pakistan, Angola, Vietnam, Guinea, Turkmenistan, North Korea, and other countries. The participants performed works by Russian classics, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in Russian.

The festival's guests of honor included Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Russian Federation Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Professor of Ataturk University Hadi Bak, Advisor to the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology Vladislav Volgin, Academician of the PASA and President of ANO MIR Sergei Chesnokov, Advisor to the Executive Director of the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage Maxim Kozin, International Designer and Founder of the Clothing brand Best Suchilia Priscilla, as well as long-standing partners of Moscow Polytechnic University in the implementation of educational projects in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Vimalagunasekara YegodaVitaranage Sriyanka Vimashan and Victoria Lysenko.

The festival was attended by 15 universities, including representatives of Moscow Polytechnic University, Russian University of Transport, Ivanovo State University of Chemical Technology, National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Cheboksary Institute (branch) of Moscow Polytechnic University, and Moscow State Technological University "STANKIN", State University of Management, Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics, Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Moscow State Pedagogical University, A.S. Pushkin State Institute of the Russian Language, Chuvash State Agrarian University, Russian State Social University, Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Prospecting University, National Research University "MPEI" and the State University of Education.

Following the results of the recitation competition, the jury determined the winners and laureates in various categories:

The festival's Grand Prix was awarded to Mohammed Hana Kedir (Ethiopia), representing the National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering. The contestant performed Veronika Tushnova's poem "They Say Russia."

A first-degree diploma was awarded to Keita Zumana (Mali), a student at Moscow Polytechnic University, who recited Sergei Yesenin’s poem “A Blue Fire Swept Away”

A second-degree diploma was awarded to Benjamin Galvino José (Angola), representing State University of Education. At the competition, he performed Mikhail Kryukov's poem "Many Languages in the World of Different Languages."

A third-degree diploma was awarded to Nurali Bakhramov (Turkmenistan), a student at Cheboksary Institute (branch) of Moscow Polytechnic University. He presented Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s poem “God Grant!”

The following were recognized in special nominations:

Guzman Zapata (Bolivia), National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering - “Will to Win” for his performance of Alexander Pushkin’s poem “Winter Evening”;

Ghabsha Diana (Syria), National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering - “Will to Win” for her performance of Alexander Pushkin’s poem “To the Sea”;

Khashefa Asil (Algeria), State University of Management - “The Will to Win” for reading Fyodor Tyutchev’s poem “Spring Thunderstorm”;

Al Hussein Narmin (Syria), Ivanovo State University of Chemical Technology - “For special poetic quality” for the performance of Alexander Pushkin’s work “A green oak tree by the sea”;

Khant Hte U (Myanmar), National Research University "MPEI" - "For the love of Russian poetry." The participant presented Anna Zakharova's poem "If there is happiness in this difficult world";

Sarro Abdul Karim (Mali), Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas - "For the accurate conveyance of the author's intent." The contestant presented Alexander Pushkin's poem "You and You";

Ndumbe Ngombi Vivien Ulrich (Cameroon), Chuvashia State Agrarian University – “For artistry”. The contestant read Robert Rozhdestvensky’s poem “My Homeland”;

Quynh Anh Hoang (Vietnam), National University of Education - “For the most emotional reading” for her performance of Sabir Abdullah’s poem “If you want to out-argue with fate”;

Bui Van Vu (Vietnam), Moscow State Technological University "STANKIN" - "For the best performance of the classics." At the competition, he recited Alexander Pushkin's poem "I loved you";

Savane Saliu (Guinea), Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI) – “For originality”. The contestant performed Sergei Yesenin’s poem “Goy, you, my dear Rus'”;

Ghasemiseparo Farzad (Iran), Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography – “For artistry”. The participant presented Alexander Pushkin’s poem “I loved you”.

The competition became a platform for intercultural dialogue and creative exchange, uniting representatives of different nations through their interest in the Russian language, literature, and Russian culture.

After the conclusion of the competition program, festival participants and guests visited the National Center "Russia," wh ere they viewed exhibits dedicated to the achievements and cultural diversity of our country.

For the fifth year running, the "Russia – My soul" festival has been promoting the Russian language and culture among foreign citizens, creating conditions for creative communication, cultural exchange, and strengthening international humanitarian ties.

As a reminder, the festival was also held in Sri Lanka this year, attracting over 200 foreign citizens, and also online, attracting over 300 foreign citizens.