THE ICL – CENTER OF RUSSIAN CULTURE

Along with development and implementation of university and interuniversity programs International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University has been active in preservation and promotion of Russian science and culture traditions abroad.

International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University has been sponsoring history and culture, education, and charity programs. Since 2010 International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University has taken an active part in the Russian Culture Festival in Switzerland. Russian culture has always been and still is the “breeding ground of peculiar spiritual interpenetration of Russian and European creative awareness”.

RUSSIAN CULTURE AND SCIENCE FESTIVAL IN GENEVA

Every spring the International Russian Culture and Science Festival takes place in Geneva. Since 2012 it has been held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

The Festival agenda includes graduation performances of Boris Tschukin Theatre Institute students and the participants of International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University Performing Arts program, International Student Conference “Lomonosov in Geneva”, as well as an International Unofficial ICL - MSU Football Game.

“TSCHUKA” NIGHTS IN GENEVA

Undoubtedly, the young actors’ performances are the focal point of the Festival. The audience has grown used to the “Tschuka” (pike) every spring “drifting” to Lake Leman shore to give enormous pleasure to every theatre fan.

As a rule there are three theatre nights: the performance of the ICL Performing Arts program students, Boris Tschukin Theatre Institute graduate students’ performance and a joint recital of both. Though separated by hundreds of miles these young people are united by the renowned Vakhtangov Theatre School. They are young, talented, full of creative ardour and eager to give joy to their audience.

“LOMONOSOV IN GENEVA”

These days are also marked by a science conference where speakers from Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and Belarus take part.  Among the Russian participants there are students of Lomonosov MSU, MSAL, MGIMO, St. Petersburg University, Saratov Legal Academy, Russian National Economy and State Service Academy, etc.  Among the guests of honor there are Dean of MSU Faculty of Law, Professor A.K. Golichenkov and Faculty of Geography Dean, RAS Academician N.S. Kasimov. To be accepted for the conference the paper should be devoted to one of the four areas of study: jurisprudence, international relations, economics and law, or nature management and law.

In 2012   a first workshop to be conducted in English was launched in cooperation with MGIMO International Law School.  

All the participants’ papers are published in the “Lomonosov in Geneva” Compendium; besides, the participants receive letters of commendation and the authors of the best presentations are given valuable awards.

MSU – ICL FOOTBALL GAME

For the first time held on the initiative of the parents of International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University first graduates, this football game has become inherent part of the Festival drawing a great number of fans of each team.  

This traditional unofficial game is aimed at furthering friendly interuniversity relations and development of sports. At the end of the game there takes place the best players’ awards presentation and a solemn Festival closing ceremony.

DAYS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN SWITZERLAND

Every year the “Days of the Russian Federation in Switzerland” take place in Geneva and International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University is one of the most active participants of the occasion.  

In 2012 the Days were marked by the ICL exhibition of Mikhail Shemyakin’s sketches. The renowned Russian and American   artist and sculptor’s exhibit included nearly 40 drafts to the Mariinsky ballet performances of the “Nutcracker” by P.I. Tchaikovsky, the “Magic Nut” by S.M. Slonimsky and Léo Delibes’   “Coppelia”.

There was also a press-conference where Mikhail Shemyakin answered every question asked by the numerous connoisseurs of his art and reporters. The Festival was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, International Association of Peace Foundations (IAPF), Harmony for Peace Charity Foundation, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (university) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MGIMO) and International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

THE FIRST RUSSIAN STUDENT THEATRE IN EUROPE

In 2012  International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University opened the first Russian Student Theatre in Europe. The opening was marked by the first night of “Les contes de la rue Broca” after the French writer Pierre Gripari. The Russian actors performed it in French on the stage of the popular Genevan Carouge theatre. Now, the first Russian Tunnel theatre has a stage of its own where its actors can rehearse new performances in the Russian, English or French language.

CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION “EARTH – A BLUE PLANET”

International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University has been a regular site of art exhibitions. For instance, in March 2013 there was an exhibition of children’s art “Earth – a Blue Planet”. This exhibition was sponsored by the International Junior Creativity League “Our Future” and International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

According to the International Junior Creativity League Vice-president, G.G. Malykha, the exhibition was targeted at “promotion of creativity in the younger generation”.  She also noted the importance of such events for discovery of junior talent. The main idea of the exhibition was to call attention to the beauty and greatness of this planet that needs to be protected. 2013 is going to be the Year of  Environmental Protection in Russia.  It was symbolic that in this very year the sponsors managed through children’s art to emphasize both the greatness and the vulnerability of the Earth; its enormous potential and unique resources.

International Centre of the Lomonosov Moscow State University is proud of its mission of promoter of Russian educational and cultural tradition on the international scene, strengthening this tradition by modern European techniques.  For this purpose it is planning to open its Russian Culture Centre.