Russian culture abroad: New opportunities for “Russian Museum: virtual branch” project in Finland

Within the framework of the “Finland - Russia” program the Finnish National Board of Education has initiated a three-day methodological seminar “Organization of training and education in virtual branches in Finland”, which was launched on April, 14 at the State Russian Museum.

The seminar, held in English, is intended for museum staff and school teachers of the newly opened information-educational centers in Finland. Its program combines opportunities to visit real expositions and exhibitions currently displayed at the Russian Museum with a virtual acquaintance with the collection and architectural complex of the museum. According to organizers, “the principal aim of the program is to promote cooperation between specialists of educational sector and educational institutions of the Finnish Republic and Russian Federation, as well as knowledge and expertise exchange”.

“The program “Finland-Russia” displays interest of Finnish people for Russian art, culture and Russian language. Study of Russian language and Russian culture are on the school curriculum” reads the bulletin of the press service.

There is growing interest for the project “Russian museum: virtual branch” in Finland. In autumn 2010 another virtual branch is supposed to be launched in the lyceum of the Finnish town Kankaanpää. It will be already the 7^th virtual branch of the State Russian Museum in Finland. Educational and cultural institutions took keen interest in project’s electronic resources, as they may serve as an extra source for expanding knowledge about Russian art. Moreover, project’s multimedia programs include information, which sheds light on cultural and historical relations between two countries.

Pedagogues from Finland are convinced that audio recordings of the project would be used as an extra material at Russian language lessons. Within the framework of the project’s development its organizers are planning to set up a separate line on creation of electronic resources with images of works of art from the collection of the State Russian Museum, aimed for studying Russian language.