Kirsti Sutinen: “The Russian Center in Helsinki will help people better understand your remarkable country”
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Kirsti Sutinen, director of the Institute for Russia and Eastern Europe in Helsinki, spoke with Russkiy Mir on the eve of the opening of the first Russian Center in Finland.
– Why do you think the Foundation chose the Institute of Russia and Eastern Europe to as the site of the Russian Center?
– The Russian Center will be opened by the Russkiy Mir Foundation in the library of our institute, which was created in 1949. The library collection includes a very broad spectrum of Russian-language popular and literary works as well as numerous periodicals and audiovisual materials. To express this in numbers, the library has 70,000 books and this year subscribes to 100 journals and 25 newspapers from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The library primarily focuses on the cultures of these three countries. The library acquires materials not only in Russian but also in Finnish and English. Our library is one of the most visited in the capital of Finland. Among the Russian-speaking population, materials about Finland in Russian are quite popular, which are rightfully proud of. Our library is not only a large collection of literature; it is also a place to gather for those who are interested in Russian language, culture, history and contemporary Russia. It is a sort of Russian club in Helsinki. This is why the opening of a Russian Center here is quite appropriate.
– Could you say a few words about the study of the Russian language in Finland?
– In Finland, the study of foreign languages, including Russian, is quite prevalent. Russian language is studied in universities and schools, and there are a wide range of language classes available. With changes in the economic and socio-political situation, Russian language skills are becoming more and more important in Finland, particularly in the eastern part of the country. Knowledge of the Russian language is with greater frequency becoming a mandatory qualification for many jobs.
Another motivating factor to study the Russian language is Russian art and literature, which has traditionally has attracted a high level of interest in our country. The desire to read the works of Russian writers and poets in the original is for many a great stimulus to study the Russian language. The Russian Center will not only facilitate Russian language learning with the help of modern Russian methodologies, it will also provide an opportunity to become more acquainted with contemporary Russia. The institute hopes that the Russian Center will become a meeting place for Russian public figures and people from the arts and literature who will raise the level of understanding of Russia and also bring our peoples closer together. It will also help the Russian-language population preserve its language and culture.
– Where did you study Russian?
– I was always interested in the Slavic languages, and I started studying Russian in the gymnasium. While studying in the philology department at the University of Helsinki I also continued my study of Slavic languages, including Russian.
– Were you involved with Russia following your university studies?
– I worked for 17 years for the Association of Foreign Trade and oversaw with Finnish firms working on the Russian market. As a resulted, I wanted to, and the opportunity arose, try to apply my knowledge and skills in the realm of culture. I was always interested in Russian culture and art, particularly Russian classical literature.
I love the poetry of Anna Akhmatova. I am interested in contemporary Russian literature and recently discovered Natalya Klyuchareva, an interesting young author. Incidentally, she recently held a meeting with readers at our institute.
Events with Russian cultural figures are quite popular among the residents of Finland’s capital. I am sure that with the appearance of the Russian Center, many new opportunities will open up for those who are interested in Russian culture.
I am truly glad that the first Russian Center of the Russkiy Mir Foundation will be opening at our institute. The center provides greater opportunities to study Russian and it is also well equipped and contains bounty of printed and audio-visual materials.
– What plans are in store for the Russian Center?
– The Russian Center will become a platform for communication. In the near future we plan to host a meeting with Russian writers, namely, Olga Slavnikova, Dmitry Glukhovsky and Andrei Astsvatsaturov, who are coming to participate in the Helsinki Book Fair. Particular attention will be paid to children’s literature. I am sure that the Russian Center will help both adults and children learn more about Russia and better understand your remarkable country.