Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The city of Ferghanahosted the conclusion of the international volunteer program "Ambassadors of the Russian Language in the World." Through the program, over 800 Uzbek schoolchildren and students engaged in lessons on the Russian language, culture, and literature.

Russian volunteers conducted interactive lessons at FerghanaState University and schools in Fergana. The program highlights the importance of the Russian language in Uzbekistan, where it is widely used in education and interethnic communication.

The lessons were not only about teaching the language but also fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between Russia and Uzbekistan. This program has already been implemented in several CIS countries and continues in other nations worldwide.

"Russian is popular in Uzbekistan; it is our country’s second language. Most schools are Russian-speaking. Here, if you know Russian, you can connect with the world because communication with other countries often happens in this language. It is an honor for us to welcome the volunteers here in Fergana. They are known, awaited, and loved. Our schools eagerly cooperate with the university and participate in this project. This is a fruitful interaction: it facilitates cultural exchange and elevates the status of the Russian language," said Zilola Sobirova, Head of the Department of Russian Philology at FerghanaState University (FergGU).

This expedition operated under the banner of cultural dialogue: the volunteers not only shared information about Russia but also immersed themselves in the local culture, emphasizing similarities rather than differences between the countries, cultures, and even languages. For instance, volunteers learned about traditional Uzbek holidays, discussed elements of traditional attire with students, and distinguished between the Uzbek fabrics "atlas" and "adras."

"In one of my classes with students majoring in ‘Russian as a Foreign Language’ at FerghanaUniversity, we talked about happiness. For some, happiness is children, for others, health or achieving a dream... A philosophical question, isn’t it? But after a week of teaching a hundred Uzbek students, I, too, can say what happiness is. Happiness is being a guest of the most hospitable people and sharing your passion with them!" said Svetlana Budnik, an Ambassador of the Russian Language, reflecting on her experience.

Starting on November 30, volunteers also conducted classes in several schools across Fergana. "As part of the ‘Ambassadors of the Russian Language in the World’ program, here in Fergana, we strive to create an educational environment where every lesson becomes a unique and memorable experience for our students. We believe learning should be not only effective but also enjoyable. That’s why we actively incorporate interactive methods and gamification into the teaching process. Our team also focuses on new developments, keeping up with the latest trends in language instruction and adapting them to our needs. We are confident that education should be multifaceted and diverse. Our goal is to foster an atmosphere where every student can unlock their potential and develop a love for the Russian language," emphasized Anastasia Livinskaya, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Training Foreign Specialists and Deputy Dean of the Russian as a Foreign Language Faculty at the Pushkin Institute.

The educational expedition has previously been conducted in Tajikistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, volunteers are working in Cuba, India, and Vietnam, with plans to begin sessions in educational institutions in Serbia and Belarus. For the first time in the program’s history, Ambassadors of the Russian Language will also visit Mongolia.

Russian is actively used in Uzbekistan for interethnic communication (with around 1 million Russian compatriots living in the country and 70% of the population fluent in Russian). Education in Russian is provided in 862 schools across Uzbekistan.

In December 2023, Uzbekistan inaugurated its first-ever Resource Center for Russian Language Studies, supported by Termez State University.

Additionally, Uzbekistan hosts 14 branches of leading Russian universities, forming one of the largest networks of branches among CIS countries. Plans are underway to open two more branches: Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MSTU) and the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade (RFTA).

Furthermore, the joint Russia-Uzbekistan initiative "Class!" has successfully enhanced the quality of Russian language instruction in the country. As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted during his state visit to Uzbekistan in May 2024, the project covers 85 schools, serving over 26,000 students and employing more than 100 Russian teachers. Local educators are also undergoing retraining, and efforts to expand the teaching staff are ongoing.

In 2025, Rossotrudnichestvo plans to open two additional Russian language learning centers in Uzbekistan. According to Irina Staroselskaya, Head of the agency’s representative office in the republic, there is a growing demand in Uzbekistan for learning Russian and exploring Russian culture.