Russian as a Language of Love. On the occasion of Russian Language Day

Ambassador Gatilov,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen:

The Director-General regrets very much that he cannot be here with us today in person. He has asked me to present the following words on his behalf:

“Ambassador Gatilov,
Excellencies,
Дамы и Господа [Ladies and gentlemen],
Дорогие друзья русского языка [Dear friends of the Russian language]:

Today is a special day for multilingualism – every year on 6 June we celebrate the United Nations Russian Language Day. It’s the day on which in 1799 one of the greatest figures in Russian literature was born: Aleksandr Pushkin, the father of the modern Russian language, author of timeless love poems and a master of a wide range of genres. His verses have inspired many after him.

Russian Language Day is not only a moment to remember this famous writer, it is especially an occasion to learn about other aspects of culture and arts in the Russian-speaking world. Every year, the Russian Permanent Mission treats us to a fine sample of culture, arts, music or dance. This year, we are privileged to witness a musical and dance performance by the renowned Moscow Cossack Choir and we also have beautiful paintings on display.

My sincere thank you to Ambassador Gatilov and the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation for organizing today’s celebration and for treating us to a reception afterwards! Thank you also for regularly providing us with other opportunities to learn about Russian language and culture, because you are such a frequent contributor to our cultural diplomacy programme.

There is no doubt, of course, about the importance of the Russian language for multilingualism within the United Nations. It is one of the six official languages. In the United Nations Office at Geneva we even sometimes provide interpretation into Russian sign language.

We are proud to have many staff members here at the Palais des Nations who speak Russian as their native language. The continuing popularity of Russian language classes underlines the importance of the language of Pushkin among staff members and delegates alike.

Today is the special day of all our colleagues promoting the use of the Russian language in the UN – our interpreters, translators and editors, our language teachers, those managing the website, the tour guides as well as all those working in technical cooperation or other aspects of multilateral affairs within the Russian-speaking part of the world. Some of our staff are even putting together a special riddle game tomorrow at the Centre for Learning and Multilingualism entitled “What? When? Where”, which I understand is a very popular Russian game.

I thank and congratulate all of you as we mark this occasion.

Now, let us enjoy the performance together.
I thank you all very much, спасибо."

These were the words of the Director-General.