INRTU Students Participate in the "Russia – A Family of Families" Educational Marathon in Moscow
Students fr om Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU) took part in the "Russia – A Family of Families" educational marathon organized by the Russian Society "Knowledge". The event marked the launch of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. The grand opening was held on February 5 in Moscow, bringing together over 2 900 representatives of various ethnic groups from all 89 regions of the country. Participants were offered sports, creative and culinary masterclasses led by figures from culture and the arts, as well as lectures and open dialogues with government officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted guests at the opening ceremony:
“The Russian people are still a young people, passionate and oriented toward the future. Yet on similar foundations our multinational country of Russia gradually took shape as many peoples joined it. What is important and interesting? It formed in different ways. But what was most important? Endless respect for the peoples who became part of Russia, full respect for their culture and traditions, for their spiritual values”.
A recording of the live broadcast of the opening of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia can be viewed here.
INRTU was represented at the marathon by members of the INRTU International Student Club: Natalya Ibergard (Russia), Aik Azatyan (Armenia), Tigran Agamalyan (Uzbekistan), and Ayagma Yeshieva (Buryatia).
The educational project is aimed at strengthening unity, interethnic harmony and mutual understanding among the peoples of Russia. For the students it became a platform to exchange experiences and learn about the traditions of different peoples.
Natalya Ibergart is a fourth-year student at the Geological Exploration Technical School of INRTU. She was born in the settlement of Mama in the Irkutsk Region. Natalya has visited Moscow for the fourth time, but this trip proved special because she got to see celebrities in person:
“I was able not only to get to know our capital more closely, but also to feel like part of a large multinational society and make friends from other regions.
What I remember most was the masterclass by theater, film and television actress Mariya Kozhevnikova, wh ere we made kokoshniks. I also want to highlight the lecture by the outstanding Russian ballet artist and Principal of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, People’s Artist of Russia Nikolai Tsiskaridze. He spoke about his teaching experience, emphasizing how important it is to constantly learn new things.”
Third-year student Aik Azatyan from the School of Aircraft Construction, Mechanical Engineering and Transport is originally from Armenia; his family moved to Ust-Ilimsk when he was five years old.
For the student, the festival was memorable for an autograph session with his idols, Honored Master of Sports of Russia in Kūdō (full contact martial art) Edgar Kolyan and Russian mixed martial artist Petr Yan.
“I study at INRTU, one of the most multinational universities in the country. Events like the ‘Russia – A Family of Families’ marathon help us better understand each other, break down stereotypes and strengthen a sense of belonging to a united multinational community,”
said Aik Azatyan.
It is worth recalling that in Irkutsk the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia was opened at the Youth House.
