The Vietnamese culture honored in Western Siberia (Russia)

The cultural festival titled “Vietnam: Man and Country” transformed the cultural center of Tomsk State University into a true Vietnamese enclave, structured around three thematic areas: artistic stage, traditional gastronomy, and popular games.

On March 25, the city of Tomsk, located in western Siberia more than 3,500 kilometers from Moscow, was alive with the cultural festival “Vietnam: Man and Country”.

Organized by the Union of Vietnamese Students in Tomsk, this event took place as part of the Youth Month celebrations and the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. Despite the region’s harsh climate, the event attracted nearly 600 spectators, including teachers, international students, and many local residents.

In his opening speech, Artyom Rykun, vice-rector for international relations at Tomsk State University (TSU), praised the dedication, respect for teachers, enthusiasm, and dynamism of the Vietnamese students. He emphasized that the quality of the performances showcased the cultural richness of their home country.

This sentiment was echoed by Svetlana Kurilo, head of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), who expressed pride in the Vietnamese students, particularly praising their abilities, good character, willingness to learn, and mastery of the Russian language.

The festival transformed the TSU cultural center into a genuine Vietnamese enclave, organized around three thematic areas: the artistic stage, traditional gastronomy, and popular games.

The audience had the opportunity to explore a diverse historical and cultural panorama, from the Ao dai procession (traditional attire of Vietnamese women) through the ages to martial arts demonstrations, and modern, energetic choreographies.

In addition to the performances, the culinary booths offered a taste of Vietnamese family warmth, while traditional games from the North, Central, and South regions sparked enthusiasm among participants.

The success of this event is noteworthy as the Vietnamese student community in Tomsk consists of only about sixty members. The active participation of the audience and the thunderous applause that closed the day attest to the strong appeal of Vietnamese culture in Russia. More than just a celebration, this day served as a cultural bridge, strengthening friendship ties among peoples and allowing young expatriates to express their patriotism and promote Vietnamese culture to international friends. – VNA/VI