Showcasing the Diversity of African Heritage at HSE University–St Petersburg
On April 26, HSE University–St Petersburg held the African Festival. Currently, there are more than 100 students from 20 African countries at the university, most of whom showed up for the first festival of its kind this April. HSE's African students proudly presented their traditions, cultural values, vibrant dances, and unique landmarks of their countries. It was an unforgettable journey into the colourful culture and multifaceted heritage of Africa.
Several workshops preceded the concert programme. The sessions were both engaging and educational, showcasing a wide array of African arts and crafts. Guests could get their faces painted, make a bracelet from Nigerian beads, and sample traditional Ethiopian coffee. It was a wonderful opportunity for guests immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of the African continent. Toheeb Adebayo Bankole, first-year student of the Master’s programme ‘Arts and Culture Management,’ displayed his painting Echoes of a Whispered Lullaby.
Toheeb Adebayo Bankole, Nigeria, first-year student of the Master’s programme ‘Arts and Culture Management’
The festival was a great event that surpassed my expectations. By serving on the media committee and taking part in the workshop, I improved my social media promotion skills. I also learned new things about my dear continent, Africa, and connected with people from other African countries. Thanks to HSE for supporting the festival; it was a memory to behold.
The concert programme featured presentations about each country. Representatives of Morocco, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Botswana, Gambia, Cameroon, and Ghana covered their homelands’ history, main industries, crafts, and food, and conveyed the spirit of each state. Several dance performances were the emotional highlight of the evening, with the audience joining those on stage in an improvised flashmob.
In between country presentations, there was a public talk titled ‘The Role of African Youth in Global Development: Perspectives from Russia’. Its speaker, Anna Ilina, graduate of the HSE programmes ‘Management’ and ‘Business and Politics in Modern Asia,’ is an invited lecturer at HSE University with the course ‘The Role of Women in Modern Societies.’ Her main occupation is a communication officer for the Centre of Public Diplomacy, the operator of ‘Russian Houses’ (cultural centres) in Western Africa, which aim to familiarise Russians and Africans with each other’s cultures and traditions and educational and scientific opportunities. ‘We focus on African youth, operating free Russian language courses and organising preparatory faculties at Russian universities for those young women and men who would like to continue their studies in Russia and raise their level of knowledge on the respective subjects,’ says Anna.
The speaker reflected on the boom in USSR–Africa relations and their diplomatic heritage today. ‘Soviet times saw a great number of Africans receiving higher education in the USSR. Those alumni now work in business and government and contribute to the economic growth and development of their home countries. After a certain period of reduced engagement, we can see, judging by the number of Africans here at HSE today, that we’re going back to those relations,’ Anna Ilina noted.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without food. Everyone was treated with a delightful variety of snacks and traditional dishes, such as baobab juice, jollof rice (similar to pilaf), African doughnuts, aloko (fried banana slices), ablo (steamed rice cakes) with sauce, and an African fish sandwich. The festival finished on a high note, with certificates of appreciation awarded to the organisers in recognition of their hard work and dedication, with the hope of encouraging their continued participation in future events.
Samuel Ayuk Enowmanyi, Cameroon, 2nd-year student of the Master’s programme ‘International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region’
As the initiator of this event, seeing the African Festival come to life and resonate so deeply with everyone was truly a dream come true. We wanted to create a space where African stories could be shared, celebrated, and understood. The energy and enthusiasm of the day confirmed that we achieved just that. This is only the beginning, and I'm so excited to see how this festival continues to grow and build bridges in the years to come.
Fxentso Bishi Joshua, Nigeria, 2nd-year student of the Master’s programme ‘International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region’
The African Festival was nothing short of spectacular. As the first of its kind, it was impressively well organised and beautifully executed. A lot of people turned up for the event, representing various countries and tribes in their attires, creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere. Kudos to the organisers and all the amazing volunteers who contributed in one way or another, whether through presentations, dance performances, or coordinating the various games and activities.
Ivana Angjelovska, International Student and Alumni Centre manager
The African Festival introduced our guests to the peoples of Africa, their countries, cultures, and customs. We thank our students who showcased the diverse landscape of the continent, expressing their own cultural values, traditions, and qualities in every presentation and performance. Our goal is to foster intercultural connections and encourage interaction between Russian and international students. Let’s make the African Festival an annual tradition!