Africa Day at INRTU: National Costumes, Arabic Script and Body Art Show

On the eve of Africa Day, creative master classes and a quiz were held at INRTU. Everyone could try on a national costume, apply makeup of a football fan, and write in Arabic script.

It should be noted that May 25th celebrates the independence of African countries. INRTU celebrates Africa Day for the third year in a row. In 2024, the event started with a series of master classes organized in the hall of the university.

Students of the Baikal School of BRICS helped the students to feel the African vibe. For example, future financier Rekiya Abubakar offered to try on national costumes. Africans wear colorful tunics and dresses in everyday life. The distinctive feature of such clothes is natural materials, geometric patterns and abstract prints. Many complement their images with turbans and massive jewelry. Multi-layered necklaces, rough beads, fangs and claws in the decor – this diversity refers to the close connection between people and nature.

As Rekiya noted, the clothes presented at the exhibition are a real example of hand-made. Everything is made by hand – from cutting, sewing and dyeing to embossing on the fabric.

You could test your erudition at the quiz held by Egyptian Amr Mahmoud. He asked 50 questions about the economy, culture and linguistic diversity of the African continent. Most of all correct answers were given by students from Mongolia.

Attention was drawn to a master class in Arabic calligraphy. The participants learned that Arabic calligraphy consists of 28 letters and is used for writing from right to left. The system, unfamiliar to many Russians, affects reading and taking notes at lectures. For example, in their homeland, Arab students start writing in their notebooks from the last page. At the master class at INRTU, everyone practiced their handwriting and tried to write their name in script.

Future architect Daniil Gorbunov joined the class with enthusiasm. He is a Vainakh by nationality. This is how the inhabitants of Chechnya call themselves. As Daniil admitted, he grew up in Irkutsk, so he was not deeply immersed in his native culture. When he was a student, he had a desire to read the Koran in the original, and to do that you need to know Arabic.

“Three months ago I started learning Arabic. I studied the alphabet diligently, but I am still confused about the pronunciation and spelling of some symbols. The language is difficult, and they don't teach it in Irkutsk. The members of the Chechen diaspora living here hardly speak it. That's why I'm studying with a tutor online,” shared Daniil.

In addition, guests were invited to body art lessons in the style of football fans. Many of them got drawings in the form of African flags on their faces. The theme of heraldry was continued by master classes on puzzle collecting.

The celebration of Africa Day ended with a big concert. Stepan Bykov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, welcomed the participants and audience from the stage. According to him, six years ago there were only 34 students from Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Egypt and Togo. Today the university has students from 54 countries, including 27 African countries.

“When our delegation visited Africa, we were all amazed by the beauty of the local culture. I hope that thanks to today's event, INRTU students will be able to get in touch with it,” announced the Vice-Rector.

The program of the celebration included national songs, fashion show in traditional costumes, playing drums, etc.