In conversation with Alexander P. Demin
by Sheikh Iraj
Alexander P. Demin is the Head of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Dhaka. He believes now the relationship between the two countries is stronger then ever before. He also believes there is genuine enthusiasm among the people and students of Bangladesh to know about Russian cultural, and hopes the bond will continue to get better.
What was the goal behind establishing RCSC?
The prime goal behind establishing RCSC is cultural exchange. The Center was established in March 1974. The centre is entrusted with the noble task of establishing non-stop cultural interaction between the two nations, updating the citizens of Bangladesh on the riches of Russian culture, Literature and art enhancing people to people contacts, cultural and educational exchanges, promoting ties of friendship and cooperation.
Please tell us about the library facilities students and members receive. What about those who are not a member, do they get access to the library?
There are many books in out library. Most of the books are there to help the students with the Russian language. There are some English and Bengali books. As for members, anyone can visit and spend time in the library, its completely free. But if one wants to take a books from the library then one have to register and pay a small amount. Nowadays people want better and up to date service. The concept of digital library is very popular.
RCSC offer Russian language course, what are the benefits of learning the Russian language?
There are many benefits of learning the Russian language. First of all we are here to provide assistance and primary knowledge of the Russian language, so that when students go in Russia they can communicate easily. It becomes easy for them to communicate with people there and thats very important. Even if someone is going to Russian for work, it will be better if he/her have some idea about the language. Now due to the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant many specialists from Russian are coming to Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people who are working with them are leaning Russian language.
Russian Center of Science Culture runs Translation Bureau and Russian Language Courses for those eager to pursue higher studies at Russian universities famous for their classical curricula, and to establish mutually beneficial businesses with Russian companies or just to read, write, speak and understand the language of Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Maxim Gorky or Anton Chekhov.
The centre also provides an opportunity for deserving Bangladeshi school-leavers and college graduates to enroll in best Russian universities for bachelor, masters, PhD or Doctorate degree courses in international law, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, computer, civil or electrical engineering, etc.
What type of activities do you promote to make Russian culture more popular in Bangladesh?
Russian Centre of Science and Culture operates nine clubs, studios and classes ranging from theatre and cinema to modern dance and aerobics. Russian Centre of Science and Culture played host to many renown Russian painters such as Vladimir Polyakov, Konstatin Persitsky, members of SOLNTSEVO Art School as well as to Liudmila Yakovlena and quite recently, Liudmila Gurar. 2014 is celebrated by tour performances of several cultural collectives from Russia, thus Days of culture of Russia in Bangladesh were an extremely important event in the cultural Russian-Bangladesh relations as were carried out for the first time, since 1991. Days of culture of Russia in Bangladesh (on November 21-25) in Dhaka and Chittagong with participation of the Orenburg State Academic Folk Choir the number of the audience exceeded 2500 people.
In April the performances of creative collective Silver Strings took place dated for the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Russian Centre of Science Culture in Dhaka. Many artists from Russia are coming to Bangladesh and people here are enjoying their work. Most of our programmes receive huge response and in most of the events its jam packed. Right now we are discussing about a tour of Bangladeshi artists in Russia, it may take place during August.
What are your future plans? Do you have any plans to open another branch?
Our future plan is to continue the work we doing here. It will be wonderful if we can open another branch, we known people want that. But I am not sure that would be valuable at the moment or not, see we are non profit.
Where have you worked before. Are you enjoying your work here?
Before coming to Bangladesh I was in India in Delhi. I worked in the Russian Cultural Centre over there. I am enjoying my time here, from India its not so different here, if you compare people lifes, climate ect.
Are your offering any scholarships?
Of course we are, this year we are offering 50 scholarships to students who are going to Russia for study. And we have plans to increase that number.
How do you select your members and teachers? Do the teachers come from Russia?
We have only one Bengali teacher and she has been working with us for a long time now. The other teachers are from Russia. We have plans to increase the number of teachers that would certainly benefit the students. Beside teachers we have a crew of professionals comprising linguists, librarians, musicians, painters, engineers, technicians and other staffs.
