The Russian Language Day was commemorated on Thursday at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), bringing together members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of UN agencies, students, and the Russian community in Addis Ababa.
The event, held ahead of the official observance on June 6, highlighted the cultural and educational significance of the Russian language, as well as Russia’s longstanding academic ties with African countries. Students from the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, also known as the Alexander Pushkin Centre, joined the celebration alongside Ethiopian graduates of Russian universities.
Established by UNESCO in 2010, Russian Language Day is observed annually by the United Nations in honor of the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, widely regarded as the founder of modern Russian literature. His works, including the novel “Eugene Onegin” and the poem “The Bronze Horseman,” remain central to Russia’s literary heritage.Speaking at the event, Russia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, underscored the enduring legacy of Pushkin and the global importance of the Russian language. He also emphasized Russia’s role in higher education and capacity building across Africa.
“Our universities educated hundreds of thousands of highly qualified specialists,” Terekhin said. “By studying in Russian, African students received a foundational education and mastered complex fields — from medicine and engineering to public administration. Today, many of these alumni hold key positions in government and the economic sectors of their respective countries.”
The celebration featured a cultural program that included Russian poetry recitals performed by Ethiopian alumni of Russian institutions, as well as traditional Russian music and dance performances. An exhibition showcasing Russian art and traditional souvenirs was also organized as part of the event.
Russian Language Day is one of the six official UN language days, aimed at promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity within the international community.
