St Petersburg University moves to add Persian language studies
St Petersburg State University of Culture has proposed establishing a department for Persian language studies during a meeting with Iranian Culture Minister Abbas Salehi.
Alexander Turgayev, president of St Petersburg State University of Culture, said the university taught six foreign languages and was interested in adding Persian through a dedicated academic chair, IRNA reported on Sunday.
Turgayev described Iran’s culture, art and civilization as “very rich” and said he had a personal interest in Iranian culture.
Salehi welcomed the proposal and instructed Iran’s cultural counsellor in Russia to follow up with the Russian side on setting up the Persian language department.
He also addressed professors and students at the university, located in St Petersburg in northwestern Russia.
The meeting was held as part of the Days of Iranian Culture in Russia, a program aimed at expanding cultural exchanges between the two countries.
During his visit, Salehi also met his Russian counterpart. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on joint film production at a meeting of their joint cultural committee.
The agreement covers cooperation between Tehran, central Iran, and Moscow on producing films together.
Salehi had earlier presented Iran’s proposals and positions on cultural cooperation at the 12th International United Cultures Forum, where he was the first guest official to address the plenary session.
The Days of Iranian Culture in Russia will officially get under way in Moscow on Monday in ceremonies attended by the culture ministers of both countries. The program will then move to Kazan in western Russia and Astrakhan in southwestern Russia.
The events are being organized by Iran’s cultural mission in Moscow and the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, with Russia’s Culture Ministry hosting the program.