Finno-Ugrians of Russia visit Mari State University
The All-Russian Forum "Wealth of Finno-Ugric Peoples" traditionally took place in the middle of May. The event, held on May 12-13 within the walls of Mari State University, was the ninth in a row and united students from the Republics of Mordovia, Udmurtia, Komi, Mari El, Tatarstan and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
The opening ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Mari El Republic Mikhail Vasyutin, Minister of Culture, Press and Nationalities of the Mari El Republic Konstantin Ivanov, Rector of the Mari State University Mikhail Shvetsov, Director of the Mari Republican Center of Culture Natalia Pushkina and Dean of the Institute of National Culture and Intercultural Communication Rodion Chuzaev and other distinguished guests. Mari dances and songs were performed by creative ensembles of the university.
After the opening ceremony, participants moved on to the main part of the event - the work of the sections, where everyone could present their scientific and project works. Sections were devoted to different aspects of peoples' culture: linguistics, literature, folklore - their present state, history and possible ways of development. In general, it can be said that the forum is entirely devoted to the preservation and multiplication of the wealth of Finno-Ugrian peoples.
In the evening of the first day, guests and inhabitants of the republic took part in an "Ethno-quiz", which was won by the combined team "Yalgat" ("friends" in the Mokshan language). The evening was concluded by a concert of the "Uyen" ensemble, giving a new sound to traditional Mari tunes.
The second day of the forum was active and sporting and at the same time did not contradict the theme of the forum. In the village of Korta there was a competition in the national sport "Sanar". It is a game which takes into account Mari people's activity - cross-country running and archery. In the evening the children were waited by the game "Ethnomafia" and a tour around Yoshkar-Ola.
Closing of the forum days was a solemn closing, where awards found the best students who have shown excellent performances in the sections.
The forum was held in a friendly atmosphere: the guys learned a lot, communicated with students from other regions, and tried themselves in a new sport. Now the preparations for the tenth anniversary Finno-Ugric forum will gradually begin.
