On June 7, the traditional Pushkin Readings took place at the monument to the great Russian poet on Pushkin Square in Laeken. Children and adults recited poems by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin in both Russian and French. Fittingly, Pushkin himself wrote his first poems in French — and today, his poetry continues to resonate in multiple languages, bringing cultures together.

The ceremony was held with the support of the International A.S. Pushkin Foundation, established by Maria Alexandrovna Pushkina-Durnovo and Alexander Alexandrovich Pushkin, direct descendants of the poet in the fifth generation. Their presence was a special highlight of the event. They listened with great interest to the readings and presented commemorative gifts to the participants.

This year, guests also arrived from the Netherlands and France, and the celebration concluded with a traditional tea gathering with the Pushkins, a warm and cherished tradition.

The ceremony was attended by Vera Georgievna Bunina, Director of the Russian House in Brussels, staff of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belgium, compatriots, and admirers of Pushkin’s timeless work.

The Pushkin Readings in Brussels are not only a tribute to the great poet but also a living tradition that unites generations and cultures through the power of the word.