Manuk Mkrtchyan: “All Armenians are the bearers of the Russian culture”

The deputy Minister of Science and Education of Armenia Manuk Mkrtchyan told to our correspondent on selection round of a republican festival of the Russian song among the schoolboys about why it is considered important and necessary to know the Russian language and the Russian culture in Armenia:

- You know, even despite the fact what events have occurred in the last 20 years, I want to say that the Russian culture is respected in Armenia. It treated with love! But the most important, I even so would tell with small, maybe, exaggeration all Armenians are the bearers of the Russian culture. We love both the Russian songs and music and the Russian literature. Generally, the Russian culture is at good, high level in the country.

What task does our Ministry of Education face now? Not to lose! We try that the new generation which has no those opportunities that we had in the Soviet Union, didn't suffer from this circumstance. The main thing is that the new generation didn't lose these approaches. Didn't lose communication, but on the contrary, strengthened the relations between our countries and the people.

For this reason we also hold various events which strengthen the friendly atmosphere in the relations of Russia and Armenia.

- Teachers- experts in the Russian language and literature gathered in Armenia …

- There are the Armenian association of experts in the Russian language and literature, the Armenian association of teachers of the Russian language and literature of comprehensive schools, the Union of graduates of the Russian higher education institutions in the republic – all of them bring the contribution to the common cause.

Therefore, no wonder, that the international conference of teachers of the Russian language and literature of Armenia, Russia and other countries took place in the Armenian Khachatur Abovyan State Pedagogical University. The theme of a representative forum was such: “The modern directions in a technique of teaching of the Russian language and literature at national comprehensive school”.

Teachers – experts in the Russian language and literature from Armenia and Russia shared the pedagogical experience with the colleagues, discussed problems in the field of the Russian and literature teaching at modern school. Especially they emphasized the need of application of the modern information and communication technologies when training the Russian language.

- I know that the festival of the Russian song passed with great success.

- In 2010 the republican festival of the Russian song “The Song is the Friendship Bridge” passed at the comprehensive schools of Armenia in honour of anniversary of the Great Victory. The figures will best tell about the scale of this action: more than 100 thousand people participated in the festival. It means that practically every fourth schoolboy tried the forces in the performing of the Russian song.

And still consider how many the audience was: teachers and parents! It is possible to say with full confidence that the festival was successful. And, so it was successful that now it becomes the traditional! The festival will take place one time in two years.

More than 4000 schoolboys who took part in area and then in regional competitions became the winners of school competitions in all republic. And in all-republican round the high mastery was shown by 75 most talented children. 21 schoolboys became the winner of a festival of the Russian song “The Song is the Friendship Bridge”. I handed over them the diplomas and valuable prizes.

- How the Russian language is taught at school?

- Certainly. There is no Russian language in the program as a separate subject. It is clear that the children study the native language from the first class, then they start learning the Russian and only then the foreign language. The school defines which one.

So, on the one hand, the Russian language is the foreign it seems. But if it is so possible to say the special foreign … I, for example, call the Russian language as the native foreign! Schoolboys start studying it already in the second class and those who is interested in profound studying of the Russian, can arrive in specialized schools with its profound studying. Such schools are not only in Yerevan, but also in other cities of Armenia.

- Do the schoolboys study the Russian literature?

- Certainly, within the school program. But do you know that the question of hours which need to be allocated for studying of literature is very big problem. Both at us, and at you! Therefore we also try to use all opportunities as much as possible: we hold festivals, competitions, concerts. We have also a specialized theatre. Big activity in this question is shown by the public.

- Is it supported by the Ministry?

- Sure enough! Why do we support already the second festival of the Russian song? Because we understand perfectly: it is impossible to keep those achievements which we have at the expense of only training program, being only in a framework of school courses. And they are both in command of the language and in participation in the Russian culture! And we will continue this work as perfectly understand its importance.