On February 19, 2025, the Russian House of Science and Culture hosted a notable meeting featuring K.V. Rynza, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to UNESCO. This event saw the participation of young compatriots, schoolchildren, and students aged between 14 and 21, who had the opportunity to engage with Rynza and learn about the nuances of diplomacy. The attendees included participants from the Youth Historical Club at the Russian House and students from the school under the Russian Embassy in France.
The young attendees were inquisitive about the responsibilities and qualifications necessary for careers within diplomacy, asking pertinent questions about the objectives of the Russian Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and Russia's contributions to media development across Africa. Rynza elaborated on the functions of the Russian Commission for UNESCO, detailing UNESCO World Heritage sites both in Russia and France, interactions with foreign delegations, and sharing intriguing anecdotes from his diplomatic practice abroad.
At the close of this enlightening meeting, Rynza presented the students with the latest bilingual issue of the Russian Commission for UNESCO’s newsletter. This newsletter, available in both Russian and English, serves as a cultural bridge for the youth engaged at the Russian House.
Further solidifying efforts to promote the Russian language, the Russian Ministry of Culture announced the acceptance of applications for the All-Russian competition titled "Great and Powerful My Native Russian Language!" This competition aims to popularize contemporary Russian without the use of profanities or excessive foreign words. The initiative invites contributions from students, educators, and members of parent committees, encouraging creative entries such as videos and short films.
The competition's deadline is set for April 1, 2025, with awards planned for June, coinciding with the Day of the Russian Language, also known as Pushkin Day. The winning submissions will be considered for social advertisements across the Internet and television. Organizers—including the Public Council at the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, among other cultural bodies—hope this competition will invigorate interest and pride in the Russian language.
Simultaneously, there is legislative momentum surrounding the proposed law to regulate the use of foreign words within public spaces to preserve Russian linguistic integrity. This significant legislative initiative, currently being discussed, seeks to limit the presence of foreign language terms on commercial signage, advertisements, and labels. While trademarks and established brand names will be excluded from this law, it places greater importance on the use of the Russian language across various sectors.
Olga Kazakova, the chair of the State Duma's culture committee, emphasized, "This is not about trademarks and brand names, but about reflecting our identity and reaching our consumers." She insists the shift aims to cultivate local production and fosters cultural pride. Andrey Usenko, the president of the Kirov Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted the probable impacts on local producers, indicating, "The decline of foreign language use will be strategic for local producers." He also explained the cultural ramifications and the need for businesses to adapt to these changing societal values.
The growing reliance on the English language and loanwords, which Usenko attributes to the globalization of commerce, is becoming increasingly concerning for cultural preservation. The phenomenon is reshaping perceptions of Russian identity, as emphasized by Ksenia Litsareva, professor at Vyatka State University. She remarked, "It’s important to understand, language is our culture, memory, mentality, identity." Litsareva noted the surge of foreign terms entering Russian and underscored the pressing need to establish clear and precise language use across public communications.
From this discussion emerges a visual and cultural appreciation for the Russian language as lawmakers and community members closely monitor the legislative process. The values intrinsic to the language resonate deeply with individuals' sense of belonging and heritage, especially as they confront foreign influence.
News surrounding these initiatives reveals a growing commitment to fostering the Russian language and its cultural practices, from engaging youth to reconsidering the breadth of foreign influence. This complex interplay of cultural promotion and legislative change will likely define the future interactions within Russian society, underscoring the essence of what it means to communicate and connect deeply within one's cultural identity. The conversations around these initiatives reflect both urgency and momentum, as they seek to bring forth solidarity among Russian speakers and invigorate the national spirit. A brighter, more inclusive future awaits as the dialogue continues to evolve around these pivotal language and cultural initiatives.