February 13 Jose Marti National Library (Havana) hosted the opening of the first Russian Center in Latin America. This language center was opened by the Russkiy Mir Foundation in the frame of the 19th Havana International Book Fair.
The ceremony was attended by the foundation’s Executive Director Vyacheslav Nikonov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Yury Sentiyrin, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cuba Vivian Belunza, Director of Jose Marti National Library Eduardo Torres Cuevas.
Vyacheslav Nikonov noted that the new Russian Center, which is the 47th on a global scale, is expected to become the key foundation’s venue in Latin America, a “home” for the local Russian Diaspora, and for all Cubans who had learnt Russian locally or in Russia.
Eduardo Torres Cuevas pointed out the importance of the event, since it reflects a strengthening humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. He also thanked the Russkiy Mir Foundation for its gift – a library containing over 1,000 titles, a multimedia collection and equipment to be used in the newly-opened language and cultural center. According to director of Jose Marti National Library, a proportion of young Cubans interested in Russia is constantly growing, and now the new Russian Center will serve as the key information source about Russia, its life and culture.
