Friendly Atmosphere at International Festival of Cultures

On November 21, Nizhny Novgorod's Central Palace of the Culture of Railwaymen welcomed guests to the Atmosfera International Festival of Cultures. The festival was organized by Minin University in collaboration with Russia's Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (RosMolodezh) and the city of Nizhny Novgorod.

Among the festival revelers was a group of international students from HSE Nizhny Novgorod. Students reported that they not only enjoyed the festival itself, but the warm atmosphere (or - 'atmosfera') with which they were welcomed in particular.

The festival opened with a concert featuring folk dancers and singers from different regions of Russia as well as other countries. Performances portrayed the vibrancy of Armenia, the spiritual traditions of Azerbaijan, the liveliness of Ireland, the extravagance of France, the frontier of America, and the mystery of China.

After the concert, all the guests were able to participate in culinary master classes, where they learned how to cook Italian pasta, Georgian khinkali (dumplings), Bavarian specialties, and, of course, Russian bliny!

HSE students also joined Russian language conversation groups, where participants discussed topics such as happiness, the idiosyncrasies of the Russian language, and the Russian mindset. 

At the end of the festival, guests participated in 'The Most Russian Foreigner' trivia quiz.

All in all, the students enjoyed the festival and seized yet another opportunity to get to know our great city of Nizhny Novgorod!