Cairo celebrates Alexander Pushkin 226th birthday, Russian Language Day
In a vibrant cultural celebration, the Russian Cultural Centre in Cairo and the Cairo Governorate marked the 226th birthday of the late renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, alongside Russian Language Day.
The event took place at Al-Horriya Park, home to the Pushkin statue in Downtown Cairo.
Arsenii Matiushchenko, Acting Director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, places flowers at the Pushkin statue.
The event highlighted the cultural ties between Egypt and Russia, as well as the timeless relevance of Pushkin's poetry in promoting cross-cultural understanding.
The ceremony was attended by Arsenii Matiushchenko, acting director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt; Sherif Gad, president of the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities; Olga Beskilenina, head of the Russian community in Egypt; members of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association and the Russian House Youth Club; and professors of the Russian language.
During the event, floral tributes were placed at the foot of Pushkin's statue in recognition of his literary legacy.
Speaking at the event, Matiushchenko praised Pushkin's enduring influence on the Russian language, described his works as 'immortal,' and emphasized that the poet had shown interest in Egypt's culture and history — a lesser-known but meaningful connection.
Meanwhile, Gad highlighted the growing interest in the Russian language across Egypt, citing the existence of 11 departments teaching Russian in Egyptian universities.
He also highlighted the growing popularity of Pushkin's works among Arabic-speaking readers, with many of his poems and stories having been translated into Arabic.
Larisa Razova, a member of the Coordinating Council of Russian Expatriate Associations in Egypt, explained why Pushkin remains such a powerful symbol of Russian culture: 'He had the rare ability to express the very soul of Russian identity.'
The celebration concluded with a series of poetry recitations by students from Cairo University and scholars at the Russian Cultural Centre. They performed some of Pushkin's most beloved works in Russian, showcasing both their linguistic skills and deep admiration for his art.
Arsenii Matiushchenko with Sherif Gad with the statue of Pushkin in the background at Al-Horriya Park.
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