The regional student forum “Dialogue of Cultures” was launched on 18 May 2023. The event gathered the representatives of 51 Asian, African and European countries, who choose Penza for higher education, to show how diverse the culture and customs of the countries are.

Over the years, the forum has been developing and prospering. Annually its geographical reaches are expanding and the number of participants is increasing. For the first time, the project is implemented with grant support from the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh).

The guests of honour attended the event. Among them were Governor of the Penza Region Oleg Melnichenko, First Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the Penza Region Oleg Yagov, Chief Federal Inspector for the Penza Region Sergei Shchetkin, Minister of Education of the Penza Region Aleksei Komarov, Chairperson of the Association of International Students of the Penza Region Adel Ali Omar Maqbol, Director General of Beijing Bridge Cultural Exchange Co. Wang Tao, Director General of National Arab-Russian Association Bashir Samaha, Founder of Chevalier Group Yuvraajsinh Solanki and others.

The forum was traditionally opened with a parade of flags. The representatives of different countries confidently and proudly carried the flags of their countries. The parade was opened by the flags of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. They were followed by the flags of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Republic of Armenia, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Burundi and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Guinea and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and others. The Russian Federation was represented by its peoples, namely Russians, Tatars, Mordovians, Chuvashs, Chechens and Avars.

The forum “Dialogue of Cultures” retained the motto “Let us build future for the world”.

Chairperson of the Council of Rectors of the Penza Region and Rector of Penza State University Aleksandr Guliakov officially opened the event. He thanked the regional authorities for the comprehensive support of the university in various activities. According to the rector, such events contribute to consolidating the student youth in the Penza Region. He noted that not only PSU students, but also students from other higher education institutions in Penza participate in the forum every year.

“Today we have a big celebration. We celebrate friendship, peace and partnership. The representatives of almost 50 countries study at Penza State University. We should be together. This is our strength and this is the guarantee of successful and normal life,” stressed Aleksandr Guliakov.

Under the Anthem of the Russian Federation, the participants raised their flags up.

Over the years, Penza State University has developed strong professional and personal relations with the representatives of different countries. Therefore, they attend the regularly organized forum and note that every year the event gains momentum and attracts more and more people.

Director General of Beijing Bridge Cultural Exchange Co. Wang Tao said that he had been cooperating with Penza State University for 9 years. According to him, PSU as the leading university in the Penza Region has created all the conditions for the educational process, comfortable life and happy student years for young people from China.

“We have forwarded hundreds of Chinese students to PSU to study music, the Russian language, Russian literature and other areas. The students are very satisfied with their student life at Penza State University. The teaching staff not only provide professional education for international students, but also treat them with care and understanding,” he added.

Wang Tao expressed hope for further cooperation with PSU and invited its teaching and administrative staff to visit the People’s Republic of China.

The forum “Dialogue of Cultures” provides an opportunity for people speaking different languages to make friends and to better understand each other. Founder of Chevalier Group Yuvraajsinh Solanki is sure of this: “Such events enable the international students to familiarize foreigners and each others with their cultures and traditions. It is a great honour for me personally and for our students to participate in such activities”.

Yuvraajsinh Solanki thanked Penza State University for 300 highly qualified specialists from among Indian students graduated from PSU, who are now successfully working as doctors in India, saving people’s lives every day.

As a mark of unity, the forum participants joined hands and formed a circle. The circle represents the Earth with more than 5000 peoples living on 7 continents. The Earth is imaged as the planet of friendship.

The concert agenda as part of celebration was rich. The creative teams and solo performers from the Republic of India, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation presented the choreographic performances, songs in various languages, fashion theatre and much more.

The guests of honour and participants of the forum walked around 15 themed venues, which cordially opened their doors. Their representatives talked about their culture, traditions and national cuisine. The forum guests and participants could taste traditional Mordovian pancakes “pachat”, oriental flour cookies “chak-chak”, Russian drink “kvass” and much more. Everyone could sit in tents, try on national costumes and even play musical instruments.

The forum ended with an ethnic party.

More photos are available in PSU group in VKontakte.