On January 25, the Russian House in Brussels hosted an event in honor of St. Tatiana’s Day.

The evening began with an open Russian language lesson given by Vera Georgievna Bunina, Director of the Russian House in Brussels. Despite the unusual timing of the lecture, the large number of listeners was a pleasant surprise.

Students showcased their talents through the recitation of poems by Pushkin and Fet, delving into themes of love, nature, and philosophy. Additionally, the audience was actively and emotionally engaged by a series of riddle-like poems presented from the stage.

This performance not only highlighted the participants’ artistic abilities but also their deep appreciation for aesthetics. In recognition of their dedication, both attendees and course instructors were awarded certificates along with small, yet meaningful and practical gifts. We hope this event left an indelible mark on the hearts of our audience and ignited a passion for the rich tapestry of Russian culture.

After the performance of students of Russian language courses there was a concert of graduates and teachers of the Russian Academy of Music named after Gnessin. The concert was attended by wonderful Moscow musicians, singer Ilona Ananina and pianist Alexei Wacker, who prepared a program of light classics - from Glinka, Dargomyzhsky and Rachmaninoff to "gypsy" romances and brilliant tangos.

The musicians dedicated their performance to Elena Gnesina, the founder of the Gnessin complex of educational institutions, who will celebrate her 150th anniversary in 2024.

At the end of the festive evening, the guests tasted traditional sbiten of Moscow University, the recipe of which we gladly shared with the participants of the evening.