USU Supports the “Hyphen: The Great Russian Word” Project
The language and literature promotion program “Hyphen: The Great Russian Word” is an initiative by the Ulyanovsk Civic Education Club, supported by Ulyanovsk State University (UlSU). Its target audience is international students living in the Ulyanovsk region. Through creative formats — videos, interactive tasks, and gamified activities — the project team makes learning Russian exciting, dynamic, and appealing to young people.
A conference at UlSU became the project’s central event and a true celebration of the Russian word — filled with discoveries, lively interaction, and inspiring stories. The forum brought together over 100 delegates: students from various countries, Russian teachers, organizers, and university partners. On the big screen, participants watched vivid and emotional video clips about the Russian language and culture created by UlSU students. International students and their Russian peers took part in an interactive program organized by the Department of Russian Language, and the event culminated with a joint performance of "Kalinka-Malinka."
USU’s Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and External Relations, Tatyana Kirillova, noted: “For Ulyanovsk State University, which has the largest number of international students in the region, participating in such a project is not just a contribution to education, but also an important mission to strengthen intercultural dialogue. We are proud that ideas connecting people from different countries through language and culture are born right here.”
“We believe that language is not only a means of communication but also a powerful tool for friendship and cooperation,” emphasized Elena Domashevskaya, Director of the Ulyanovsk Civic Education Club. “The 'Hyphen' project helps young people from different countries truly feel Russia — through words, meaning, and participation. We thank everyone who’s been with us on this journey and invite you to continue it.”
The project is ongoing. Participants will soon have access to an interactive chatbot and a video content library.
The project is implemented with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.