On June 3, 2022, the Russian House in Kuala Lumpur for the first time, played host to guests from the Tun Hussein Onn University, a university located in the state of Johor, Malaysia. The delegation was headed by Professor Ruzairi Abdul Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The program for the visit was scheduled in such a way as to present the culture of Russia, its history and various aspects of life in modern Russian society in the most meaningful and colorful way. This was done after taking into consideration that the event took place on the eve of a number of significant and memorable dates – the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, the 350th anniversary of Peter I, Russia Day, the Day of the Beginning of the Great Patriotic War, and the International Olympic Day.
After a long journey of at least three hours, the guests dined on a scrumptious Russian-style breakfast, followed by the performance of a dance – “Barynya”, which added a nationalistic touch to the event. The Russian folk dance was performed by the choreographic dance ensemble of the Russian House in Kuala Lumpur.
After the lively start to the event, the delegation was divided into four groups, where each group were assigned its own program: an express lesson on the Russian language, a master class in Russian folk dance, and a sports event.
A separate program was a tour of the Russian House premise in Kuala Lumpur. Lermontov’s lines, which was translated into Malay by Professor Viktor Pogadaev were recited near the bust of Mikhail Lermontov by Gregory Pototsky, the sculptor. Next to the colorful image of the Earth first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin and the first cosmonaut of Malaysia, Dato’ Sheikh Muzafar Shukor, particular attention was given to the first human flight into space and the scientific achievements of Russia. The guests were also shown a monument dedicated to those who died during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, as well as the Garden of Memory, carefully preserved by the staff of the Russian House in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of compatriots living in Malaysia. The “Zhemchug” memorial stand, revealed the tragic story of the death of the Russian cruiser “Zhemchug” in Penang Bay during the First World War. In 2022, the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Russia is celebrated, but it is the tragic event of 1914 that preserves and highlight the courage of Malay fishermen, in their rescue of wounded Russian sailors of the Zhemchug cruiser, sunk by a German raider. The tragedy is a symbol of the closeness and understanding between the peoples of Malaysia and Russia.
At the end of the fourth session of the intense program, videos were shown on the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve (“Things of Peter I”), the State Museum of Russia and the Russian Geographical Society.
The four groups got back together during a master class on cooking Russian pancakes and for a long photo shoot. The sincerity of all participants could clearly be seen in the hundreds of photos taken during the festival on the Russian culture.
The team of the Russian House in Kuala Lumpur expressed their sincere gratitude to the Malaysian side for the opportunity to present the culture of Russia.
