Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing- The “Humanities Brick” has lasting vitality

On October 23, local time, President Xi Jinping attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where he delivered an important speech. He emphasized the need to build a “cultural BRICS” and to advocate for the coexistence of diverse civilizations. In an interview, Wu Danna (Tatyana Uljumtsaeva), director of the Russia Cultural Center in Beijing, shared her insights on the significance of this summit.

Wu noted that Russia, as this year’s BRICS chair, organized over 200 related activities, with vibrant cultural exchange events standing out as a highlight that enriched the essence of BRICS cooperation.

“I am proud to highlight some of the cultural events held in Russia this year, such as the ‘National Brands of the BRICS Countries’ exhibition, the BRICS Cultural Festival, and the BRICS Creative Innovation Forum,” she explained. “Our center participated in several of these events. One that left a lasting impression on me was the photo exhibition titled ‘Cosmos: BRICS Countries,’ held in Beijing this May.”

This exhibition featured photographs taken by two Russian astronauts from the International Space Station, alongside images captured by other photographers showcasing UNESCO Creative Cities located in BRICS nations. “The collaboration of BRICS countries in space is extensive, and this event allowed us to reflect on the beauty, strength, and vulnerability of our shared home—Earth,” she said.

The photo exhibition kicked off in February in Moscow, continuing to cities like Saint Petersburg, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, Mumbai, and Cape Town, culminating in Kazan this October.

Wu reminisced about her journey learning Chinese, stating, “I started studying the language in elementary school, progressed to exploring Chinese history, and eventually studied its economy. Each of these experiences deepened my understanding of Chinese culture.”

She vividly remembered her first visit to China in 1986 for an internship. “Back then, even in the capital, Beijing, foreigners were quite rare. We would often attract attention on the streets, which felt uncomfortable. I recall one moment when an elderly man approached me from the crowd and said in Russian, ‘Follow me, I’ll show you the way.’ In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging.”

With the passage of time, it has become common for foreigners to be seen in most Chinese cities. “Over the decades of interacting with China, I have made friends from various professions and different generations. I could say they are all my teachers,” she reflected.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and the launch of the “China-Russia Cultural Year.” Both governments have organized a series of diverse cultural exchange activities. “Interestingly, in addition to official events, there have been many community-driven concerts and exhibitions as well. Although these activities may not be large in scale, they are equally heartwarming,” she noted.

“Whenever we host activities, the cultural center is always bustling with energy. We deeply feel the strong interest and sincere friendship between the Chinese and Russian people,” Wu concluded.