Russia to dispatch more language teachers to Ethiopia, create learning centers in schools

Addis Ababa, June 6, 2023 (FBC) – The Russian Language Day has been celebrated at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in attendance of ambassadors of various countries, representatives of international organizations and students of the language in Addis Ababa.

In his opening remarks, Antonio Pedro, Executive Secretary of the ECA, stated that the Russian Language is a lingua franca in Eastern Europe and Central Asia the fourth most translated language in the world. Celebration of the day is part of the efforts to promote multilingualism in the world, he added.

Antonio Pedro indicated that ECA and Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa have reached an agreement to teach the language in ECA’s language learning center.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, for his part, said the Russian Language Day was established by UNESCO in 2010 and coincides with the birthday of Alexander Pushkin who is considered to be the father of Modern Russian Language.

“Today we see how in so-called “civilized” Europe, where massive violations of the rights and interests of Russian citizens take place, the most radical politicians openly call for the “abolition” of the Russian language and culture,” Ambassador Evgeny Terekhin noted.

“Russophobia has reached unprecedented scale. Another evidence of this is the decision of the UNESCO Executive Board to reject the proposal to declare June 6 (Alexander Pushkin’s birthday) World Day of the Russian Language. This act refuted all assurances from the West that it is not seeking to abolish everything Russian,” the Ambassador said.

“In Ukraine, where the majority of the population has always spoken Russian in everyday life and at home, it is being brutally eradicated with the full connivance of Western countries, with Russophobia elevated to the status of the country’s state policy. The Russian language, culture and common history are being purposefully rooted out, monuments and mass graves have been massively destroyed,” he added.

Ukraine has destroyed more than 11 million books written in Russian and banned the language in schools, languages and other social institutions, the Ambassador said, adding that the action is against the principle of multilingualism.

The Russian House in Addis Ababa has taught hundreds of Ethiopian students, and is working to promote the language with a view to enhance people to people and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Russia, the Ambassador said.

Russia has a plan to dispatch teachers of Russian language to Ethiopia, create Russian learning centers on the basis of Ethiopian schools and colleges and increase number of Ethiopian students, it is stated on the occasion.

Russian language poems, performing arts and cultural dances were part of the celebration of the Russian Day.

By: Wondesen Aregahegn