A World without Language Barriers: We Are All Different, but We Are Together Festival Held at SUSU

The 6th International Festival “We Are All Different, but We Are Together” was held at South Ural State University, with students from many different nationalities participating. The festival was organized by the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications with support from the Sociocultural Adaptation Centre.

This year, the We Are All Different, but We Are Together Festival was event-packed and held during three days. The first two days were dedicated to creative and educational master classes, and the third day – to a big, celebratory concert. Director of the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications Elena Yaroslavova explained the central idea of the festival:

“We are learning to be together—that’s the central idea; yes, we are different, we speak different languages, but the knowledge and study of languages is what brings us together. And the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications also brings us together. Our motto is “a world without language boundaries and barriers”. Our home is SUSU, a smart university which unites Europe and Asia, where many nations study, so we should be proud that we are studying here; the future is up to us.”

Today, more than 2500 international students from 52 countries from around the world are studying at SUSU in various fields and specialties. The festival has become a place of unification for them, a place for self-fulfilment, educating others about the culture and tradition of their country, and, most importantly, meeting one another and finding new friends. Dina Valeeva, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs of the Institute of Linguistics and International Communications and festival organizer spoke about the preparations for the festival:

“This festival really helps our international and Russian students get to know one another and become friends. During preparations for the festival, the students rehearse together, sing, dance, and become friends. The festival helps them share their culture and traditions.”

At the festival, attendees saw Russian folk dances, a mix between salsa and bachata from Latin American students, a flute performance by a student from Congo, performances by international ensembles, songs in Chinese, performances by guests from the UNESCO school, and much more.

“It was a very impressive and interesting festival. These events bring people together both international students and Russians. We make new acquaintances, have new experiences. The most memorable performance for me was the one by the students who sung a duet with piano accompaniment. The live performance was interesting and inspiring. It's really very cool that these events are held to unite and rally together different nations and peoples,” said Yekaterina Alekseenko, SUSU student.

For South Ural State University students, the festival is one of the most important and favourite holidays. One of the performers, Mulham Shahin played guitar; this was his first experience participating in the festival:

“Last year, I came here and I didn’t know anyone; I didn’t have any friends. But the festival was held, and I met new friends: different friends from different countries and cultures. Today, I will play guitar, we have a small musical ensemble. I performed last year, my friend and I played guitar. I think we did well and that the audience enjoyed it, and it was interesting for me as well.”

The International Festival “We Are All Different, but We Are Together” is held each year. After all, more than 50 languages are spoken at SUSU, and representatives of many nations are studying here, with more joining us each year. For this reason, the organizers of the festival are planning on developing this movement more and making it more multinational and even better.