Since 1988, in the Russian Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted in Thai Nguyen City, there has been intensive training in the Russian language. There are lessons for knowledge and communication skill improvement, also for enhancing students' understanding of the Russian Federation and its people. To make the lessons more interesting, the teachers of the Russian Department have introduced many new methods into the curriculum. One of them is introducing Russia's traditional festivals to the students.

The Maslenitsa Festival for Winter farewell - Spring Welcome is a traditional festival held in Russia and often lasts for a week. This year's Maslenitsa officially started on February 20 and will last until the end of February 26. The Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted held a lesson for students to understand more about this week-long festival.

In this special lesson, students had the opportunity to learn about the origin, meaning, and organization of Maslenitsa week. Instructor Ekaterina Kozulina, a high-school Russian language teacher, hosted the class. She is working in a national program at high schools in Vietnam called the "Russian teachers abroad project").

Ekaterina Kozulina, a high-school Russian language teacher, hosted the class (Photo: Vu Khanh)

“I introduced the festival in class because I thought it would be interesting for students who are new Russian learners. In addition, besides improving your Russian skills, you also need to learn more about the culture, customs and holidays, especially for those who want to study in Russia in the future," said the Russian teacher.

After the lesson, the students participated in traditional games (Maslenitsa hair braiding, passing the rice, musical chairs, snowball throwing...) and dances. They also tried to make fried blinui - the signature dish in Maslenitsa that symbolizes the warm and round sun. This dish is known for its salty and sweet, buttery taste and smell, a perfect winter/spring food when served with honey and jam.

“In Vietnam, there is no winter farewell like in Russia. Thanks to this special class, it helped me understand the meaning and importance of Maslenitsa week, and how Russians say goodbye to winter and to welcome spring. I also learned great things about Russian holidays, the diversity and uniqueness of this country's culture," said Ngo Hoai Thu (a student at Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted).

Pham Thi Huyen, a teacher of Russian at Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted, said: "I hope to have can organize more practical lessons like this, for Russian teachers in particular and lovers of Russian culture in general. Together with Kozulina, we decided to organize this special session to give the students the opportunity to understand more about Russian traditions and culture, as well as nurture their love for Russia."

Students at the Russian Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted (Photo: Vu Khanh).

By applying new methods in teaching the Russian language and culture, Russia's Department of Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted will continue to nurture the future generation of Russian linguists, and contribute to developing a good friendship between the people of the two count.

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