Russian Language in the Heart of the Atlantic

Russian Language in the Heart of the Atlantic

🔖 Cabo Verde continues its first-ever Russian language learning program, launched by the Pushkin Institute as part of the project of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cabo Verde.

“In 2025, Russia and Cabo Verde celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over this period, more than 2,000 Cabo Verdean students have graduated from Russian and Soviet universities. We are pleased that the Pushkin Institute is expanding the long-standing partnership between our countries in education and in promoting the Russian language. We provide free instruction in Russian language, literature, and culture for students of the Republic, and we are always happy to welcome those who wish to continue their studies in Russia,” noted the Rector of the Pushkin Institute, Nikita Gusev.

👨‍🎓 More than 300 students and staff of the University of Santiago, the second-largest university in Cabo Verde, have begun learning Russian. Pushkin Institute instructors conduct Russian language lessons, workshops, and popular-science lectures on Russian culture.

🎤 The program’s coordinator, Professor Luis Rodrigues of the University of Santiago, emphasized that the university warmly welcomed this initiative, recognizing its academic and cultural value.

“The Pushkin Institute provides qualified instructors, learning materials, and full academic support for the courses. This scientific and pedagogical assistance ensures high-quality and authentic Russian language teaching. I am confident that our cooperation will bring concrete outcomes, including the development of linguistic and cultural competencies among our students, opportunities for academic exchanges, joint research projects, and stronger ties between the academic and cultural communities of Cabo Verde and Russia,” he said.

🔥 Additionally, Russian language courses have been launched in the Pedro Gomes and Abrolhos schools (Praia) starting in autumn 2025.

“As part of expanding our partnership, this year Russian language classes are also offered to high school students who are already thinking about their future careers. The students show great warmth and interest in the lessons. We hope they will continue their studies in Russia as university students!” shared Ekaterina Atrashkevich, Deputy Head of the Pushkin Institute’s International Cooperation Department.

✅ At the end of 2024, the Pushkin Institute signed an agreement with the University of Santiago — an important step towards strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation.