Russophiles gathered at the Russian House in the Central African Republic (CAR) to celebrate National Unity Day on Monday, where they honored the nation’s culture. The event was marked by a series of performances and cultural exchanges.
Guests attended a screening of the film ‘Why I moved to Russia’, which provides insights into the lives and experiences of people who have chosen to settle in the country.
Students from the Russian House’s language courses presented a song about Moscow, and an Orthodox church choir performed. Russian-speaking locals performed a dance, donning costumes crafted from fabric delivered directly from Moscow for the occasion.
Traditional Russian pancakes, a staple at Russian celebrations in the Central African Republic, were served, allowing attendees to enjoy an authentic taste of Russian cuisine.
In September, Russia’s federal agency for international cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) signed agreements to establish Russian Houses in the Central African Republic. Deals were also signed with Guinea, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Chad and Equatorial Guinea. With the new agreements, the total number of countries hosting these cultural centers has increased to 16.
“Demand from local communities for Russian education, the Russian language, and cultural connections is far greater than the current network of officially existing Russian Houses. We are responding to public requests from our friends around the world,” the agency’s head Yevgeny Primakov Jr. said.
Along with partner Russian Houses, there are also Centers of Russian Culture and Science run directly by Rossotrudnichestvo in Algeria, Guinea, Somalia, Sierra Leone, the CAR, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Sudan, along with Bolivia and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, at the Russian House in Tanzania, students celebrated the national holiday by donning traditional attire and participating in an open lecture on the country’s language and customs.
The Day of National Unity has been celebrated every year since 2005. It symbolizes the cohesion of the Russian people. According to the latest census, 195 ethnic groups live in the country.