North-Caucasus Federal University has launched a Literature Café to promote the Russian language.

For several days now, NCFU experts are to teach Russian to Syrian people while using most diverse techniques – from game play to drama performances.

One class, for instance, was a performance showing Russian fairy-tales, and as soon as a couple of hours later the audience were leaving able to use the simplest Russian grammar structures.

– NCFU goes on carrying one of its major missions – to support and strengthen the positions of the Russian Language abroad. I do believe that projects like this will serve the basis for cooperation between our countries, both in research and education, – Dmitri Bespalov (Rector, NCFU).

Promoting the Russian language abroad is a key element within the humanitarian policy that Russia been pursuing abroad, which is subject to a Decree approved and signed by Russian President in September this year.

Apart from entertaining ways of teaching, NCFU will also deliver in-service training for teachers of Damascus University as well as a series of classes for students.

Literature Cafes are extremely popular in the Arab world. Earlier similar events were held successfully in Iran and in Lebanon.