On April 5, 2025, the annual international initiative known as Total Dictation will take place, uniting participants from 50 countries and 900 settlements across Russia. This event, which aims to foster interest in the Russian language and improve literacy, will be held on six continents, from the polar circle to the tropics. The organizers have prepared numerous unique venues for writing the dictation, which will include not only traditional libraries and educational institutions but also shopping centers, coffee shops, yoga studios, and even maternity hospitals.
The main venue for this year’s event will be the Sirius Science and Technology University, located in the federal territory of Sirius. There, the author of the dictation text, renowned writer and screenwriter Marina Moskvina, will personally read her material to participants. Moskvina, who is a finalist for the Yasnaya Polyana Prize and a laureate of the Hans Christian Andersen International Prize, has created a text divided into four parts, which will be dictated in different time zones.
In Russia, the dictation will also reach participants beyond the polar circle, in the city of Naryan-Mar. The event is designed to unite a diverse group of individuals, regardless of age, nationality, or educational background, emphasizing the importance of literacy for everyone. Last year, over 400 residents of the Volgograd region participated in the event in person, showcasing the growing interest in this initiative.
In Volzhsky, residents are invited to participate at three designated venues: the Volzhsky branch of VolGU, the Volzhsky branch of MEI, and the Volzhsky Polytechnic Institute. There is also an option to join online, with the event scheduled to start at 14:00. Participants can apply through the official project website, totaldict.ru.
In St. Petersburg, participants can write the dictation at various cultural and educational sites, including the Main Headquarters of the State Hermitage Museum and the VKontakte office in the Singer House. The dictation text for 2025 will also focus on travel, reflecting Moskvina's literary themes.
As part of the Total Dictation initiative, an online marathon will accompany the event, featuring a 17-hour live broadcast with notable guests and interactive quizzes. The marathon will commence at 07:30 Moscow time, with the dictation text being read live from different locations at various intervals throughout the day.
In Tula, the Total Dictation will be hosted at several venues, including the Molodezhny Multifunctional Center 'Rodina', the Tula Regional Scientific Library, and the Lev Tolstoy University. Residents are encouraged to participate both in person and online, with preliminary registration required. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion, detailing their results.
The Total Dictation campaign is not only a test of literacy but also a celebration of the Russian language and culture. It aims to bring together people from all walks of life, emphasizing the significance of being able to write and speak correctly. The event's wide reach, spanning across numerous countries and communities, highlights its role in promoting the Russian language on a global scale.
With participation expected from various countries including China, Indonesia, Ireland, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Morocco, the USA, the Philippines, and Switzerland, the Total Dictation is set to be a truly international event. As the date approaches, excitement is building among participants eager to test their skills and engage with the literary community.
For those interested in attending the press conference discussing the results of the Total Dictation 2025, it will be held on April 4, 2025, at the Izvestia MIC. Key speakers will include Vyacheslav Belyakov, Director of the Total Dictation Foundation; Vladimir Pakhomov, Chairman of the Philological Council; and Elena Khabuzova, City Coordinator in Sirius. Media accreditation is required for participation, and interested parties should contact the press center for details.
As the Total Dictation event draws near, participants are reminded to prepare adequately, whether they plan to attend in person or join online. This initiative not only tests individual literacy but also fosters a sense of community among those who share a passion for the Russian language.
