December 11, 2009 Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (Lublin) hosted the opening of a second Russian Center. Of note, the First Russian Center was opened on September 20, 2009 at the Institute of Modern Philology of Krakow Pedagogical University.
The opening ceremony was attended by Polish and Russian politicians, public figures, representatives of local authorities, students of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University and the Russian language specialists from Lublin and other cities of Poland.
Vladimir Grinin, Russian Ambassador to Poland, in his welcome speech pointed out a growing importance of the Russian language: “In the past years we have seen a growing interest to the Russian language from the part of young Polish people…the language becomes crucial for business. In my view, a growing number of educated young Polish specialists, who are able to speak Russian, is a strong competitive benefit of the Polish economy”.
Dr. Andrzej Dabrowski, Rector of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, said that the Russian language is a critical success factor for trade and economic operations between Russia and Poland. He also added that opening of the Russian center in Lublin would provide a significant learning support for the university students.
Representatives of the Russkiy Mir Foundation delivered a welcome speech on behalf of Ludmila Verbitskaya, Chairwoman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “All participants of today’s event are united by love and interest to the Russian language and culture. Any language reflects a history of its nation and is a path leading to civilization and culture…I am sure that the new center will serve as a stable ground for promotion of the Russian language and culture in Poland”.
Among goals of the new center is to host meetings, seminars and round table discussions; to organize art exhibitions and to promote the Russian culture, language and history among a Polish audience.
The Russian Center will offer its visitors scientific, popular science books, classics and modern fiction; multimedia language courses, a collection of Russian films, an audio library and a catalogues of the Russian media.
