Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Exactly one year ago, RUDN University students and graduates met in the Kremlin Palace for the university's anniversary. Today, everyone returned to congratulate their alma mater on its anniversary.
The lobby is bustling. Guests are looking for familiar faces. On either side are photo booths, where members of the RUDN University cheer-hop team pose. One of them effortlessly does a cartwheel. Suddenly—a clang! The waiter drops crystal glasses.
The girls smile and chorus, "For luck!" The man nods in response. Near the banner, graduates of the Faculty of State and Civil Engineering embrace and reminisce about their student years.
"I remember the student theater. It was truly unifying. We staged the play 'Cosmonaut,' and I played a pop star with that nickname. Theater helped me open up and find my creative spirit—it was invaluable," recalls Ivan Antonov, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Class of 2015.
"I was drawn to sports at RUDN. I played tennis, and every Sunday at 7 a.m. we'd go to practice. It instilled discipline and fostered team spirit. I still play, and every time I step on the court, I think of the university," said Dinara Aksyanova, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Class of 2015.
Near the panoramic windows, a man smiles and tells his friend how his foreign friends taught him how to cook exotic dishes.
"We lived in a dorm with foreigners, helped them with their studies, introduced them to our culture, and they taught me how to cook Indian-style meat with spices. That's how I learned to eat spicy dishes. Now I love cooking both meat and beans Indian-style. My family loves this cuisine too," shared Stanislav Senokop, Engineering Faculty, Class of 1992.
At the main staircase, four graduates from Afghanistan recall how they learned Russian.
"The highlight of RUDN University was the Russian language classes in my first year. I came from Afghanistan, and the language was difficult. But the teachers did everything they could to get us talking. There was a lot of homework… but I learned Russian," said Zaki Akhmat Gafuri, Law Faculty, Class of 1989.
There are just a few minutes left before the concert begins. The hall darkens, and guests take their seats. The host appears on stage with his partner, Rudnyasha. Exactly one year ago, the digital girl was born and became the co-host of the anniversary concert. And today, she stands before the audience!
The first act is a fashion show from RUDN Fashion Lab. Students wear vibrant ethnic outfits from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. The girls take to the stage in dresses in shades of pink, lilac, and yellow. Their looks are completed with headbands embroidered with flowers, scarves with geometric patterns, and silk umbrellas. The boys are dressed in black suits with gold thread, blue shirts, and white trousers.
"I couldn't stop smiling because I thought it was so unique. Then I thought, 'Why didn't we go to concerts when we were students?'" recalls Alisa Matvienko, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Class of 2014.
The RUDN University KVN team's performance drew laughter from the audience after just fifteen seconds. The team joked about studying and science. A resounding "bravo" from the audience proved that the guys deservedly advanced to the Major League.
Next up is the RUDN University EthnoFest. The number opens with breakdancing, then African dancers in orange and blue costumes pick up the rhythm. Then, Indian girls wow the audience with expressive facial expressions and gold embellishments on their outfits.
The "Night at RUDN" performance immersed the audience in a Middle Eastern atmosphere of mystery and magic. The lights were dimmed. A dancer with flaming candles on her headdress and a vocalist dressed in a costume reminiscent of Aladdin's entered the stage.
Then a soloist appears on stage, performing a famous Italian lullaby and asking the audience to sing along to the line: “Ninna, Nanna, Ninna, O.”
The concert concludes with the university's anthem, as is tradition. All performers take the stage, joined by RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov, who sings alongside the students.
The audience doesn't lag behind. They rise from their seats and sing along to the familiar lines. A couple in the audience begins to dance. The man turns to his companion: "I kept thinking—should I go or not? It was worth it," he smiles.
"I come to the concert every year, and this one stood out from the rest. It was more interesting, without the long announcements. The concert was wonderful: very unobtrusive and everything followed one after another. They showcased models, our Russian culture, and national diversity," shared Lyubov Ushakova, Faculty of Medicine, graduating in 1983.
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