The International School of Russian Language and Russian Culture “V. Dal” completed its work in Kirillov yesterday, on August 13. Children from Serbia, France and various regions of Russia were trained there during 16 days. Some young residents of Donetsk were also among the pupils thanks to the assistance of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. During their stay in Kirillov, all boys and girls often visited the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve, saw its permanent and temporary exhibitions, attended master-classes and various events.
The main organizer of this school is the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization of Additional Vocational Education “Prologue” (Moscow). Natalya Shemyakina, director of this organization, told about the mark that the Kirillov land left in the hearts of the participants of the international project.
- Natalya Anatolyevna, can you say some words about the school: when it was founded and who studies there?
- The project “International School of Russian Language and Russian Culture “V. Dal” started in 2013. People who want to study Russian participate in it. As it is known, it is easier to study this or that language when you communicate with native speakers. Therefore not only foreign, but also Russian children are pupils of our school. Lessons are conducted in different parts of the country during holidays. Once we have even been to Serbia because the largest number of children participating in the project lives in this very country.
- What is the training program?
- It is made up depending on the venue. Preparing for the trip to Kirillov, we didn’t expect that our program there would be so rich in events. We had to make it up on the spot. For example, we didn’t know that we would get to such a wonderful holiday as the “Ilyinsky Festival”. We couldn’t miss it. We changed the program and went to Tsypino with pleasure.
- Please, tell about a usual school day.
- Russian lessons were given from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They were conducted in the Kirillov Secondary School. We are very grateful to the school administration for it. In the afternoon, the pupils attended master-classes in the creative workshops – in the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve and other town institutions. We also went to Kurakino to learn about local ceramics. We regularly participated in the tours. Along with the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum, the children visited the Museum of Dionisy’s Frescoes and spent one day in Vologda. Our pupils liked the Museum of Architecture and Ethnography in the village of Semenkovo very much.
- What impressions has Kirillov made on you?
- We admired Kirillov. It is the key word. The children have taken wonderful pictures. We are impressed with the atmosphere of these places. Besides, we didn’t have to be anxious about children’s’ safety in Kirillov for the first time during the history of the school. They walked along the town absolutely quietly.
