Russian culture abroad: First Russian center opens in Austria

The first Russian Center in Austria will open its doors on January 26 2011 at the University of Innsbruck (Innsbrucker Universität) in the Austrian Bundesland of Tirol. Finishing works are currently being held at Claudiana, the former administration building of Tirol which will house the future center.

Presently 4 national centers are operating at the university’s facility. Thirteen years ago at the university was opened the Canadian center, followed by the French and Italian centers and a Center for Interamerican Studies. Tilmann Märk, the university’s vice rector, underscores that “these institutions make a part of the university’s internalization strategy”.

For several years interest displayed by the local population to the Russian language and culture has considerably grown. Ingeborg Ohnheiser, Director of the Institute of Slavic Studies (Slawistik-Institut), the University of Innsbruck, announces that 238 students have been enrolled at the Institute of Slavic Studies, while 104 students are studying at the Institute of Translation. The Russian language is taught at 10 schools of Tirol. Following this trend the Russian Center will become an education institution available to teachers and students. What is more here will be opened a library which will provide access to 1 000 of books.

Three years ago the Russkiy Mir Foundation picked up an idea analogous to that being implemented by the Goethe-Institut, and managed to set up around 60 Russian Centers in 30 countries of the world. Its aim is to promote the Russian language and culture, and support Russian language teaching programs worldwide. In spring 2011 the new Russian center in Tirol will launch its first events. The center is planning to hold series of lectures, and mount book publications. In particular, future lectures will be dedicated to 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight, development of Russian language and familiarization with the history. Those taking a keen interest in literature will enjoy the Tolstoy evening in May 2011 which will be attended by the writer’s great-great grandson Vladimir.