St. Petersburg Mining University of Empress Catherine II became the venue for the international festival ‘Meeting of Cultures’. It gathered about 700 participants from more than 30 universities of the city on the Neva River. Representatives of 14 countries - Vietnam, Guinea, Indonesia, China, Tanzania, Tajikistan and others - introduced the peculiarities of their national culture to numerous spectators.
As the organisers noted, this event, which is being held for the 13th time at the oldest higher technical school in Russia, is based on the Olympic principle: ‘the main thing is not to win, but to participate’. That is why the format of the competition does not provide for a champion in the overall standings, its laureate is determined in each of the 14 equally important nominations. For example, Vietnam received the winner's diploma for the most numerous performance, and Guinea - for the most incendiary dance.
The festival framework, as always, provided not only performances on stage, but also the organisation of thematic zones, where everyone could literally touch the culture of distant countries. For example, to try on someone's national clothes or accessories. And also to learn the details of national customs and traditions. Thus, representatives of Vietnam decorated their site in the style of the New Year. Its date, by the way, is not permanent in the Socialist Republic. It is determined by the lunar calendar and is celebrated on one of the days between 20 January and 20 February.
‘Like in Russia, in Vietnam New Year's Eve is celebrated in a small family circle. But if you have a Christmas tree, we have small tangerine trees on the table, and vases with blossoming branches of peaches or apricots. We also hang small red papers with poems on street plants and road poles. On the New Year's table we traditionally serve flatbreads and pies in the shape of a circle and a square. The dishes symbolise a peaceful heaven and earth. The cities organise cockfights, water puppet shows, festivals and concerts,’ said Chan Duc Hieu, a student of the Department of Process and Production Automation at Mining University.
One of the most colourful was the Republic of Guinea themed zone, which is not surprising. Traditional costumes worn by men and women in this West African country were exhibited there. As young people from Guinea explained, all their clothes are made exclusively of pure cotton, but they differ in their colours.
‘We told the guests and participants of the festival about what each of these outfits symbolises and on what occasion it is worn. In addition, we proudly presented our national dance. It involved ten students from our country, who study at different St Petersburg universities. In order to ensure that everything went beautifully and harmoniously, we rehearsed several times. We wanted to convey our cultural peculiarities to a wide audience,’ said Mara Mustafa, a student of the Department of Mineral Processing at Mining University.
He also emphasised that such meetings give foreign students an opportunity to better adapt to life away from home, share their thoughts and views with others, and make new friends and acquaintances. By the way, not only peers - representatives of consulates, diasporas and communities came to the festival to support the youth.
All pictures can be seen here.