On June 6 Russia celebrates the 225th anniversary of one of the most significant people in its history and culture – the great poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. Students of the International Medical Institute of KSMU, who have recently started studying the Russian language, celebrated this date by opening a bookcrossing in the International Medical Institute of KSMU, a symbolic site “Letters A”, which symbolizes the beginning, literacy and aspiration to acquire new knowledge. The holiday in honor of the poet’s birthday and opening of the bookcrossing was organized by IMI KSMU together with the library of KSMU in the amphitheater of the Student Square.

The event was attended by: Rector of KSMU Prof. V. A. Lazarenko, State Minister of Health of Sri Lanka Arambepola Sita Kumari; former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the DSM of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation Liyanage Janitha Abeywickrema; Minister of the Embassy of the DSM of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation Heva Devage Chamila Prasad Jayarathna; poetess, prose writer, head of the Union of Kursk writers, winner of the Governor’s Prize “Literator of the Year – 2022” T. I. Strakhova; Member of the Union of Writers of the Union of Kursk Writers, winner of the Governor’s Prize “Literator of the Year – 2022”. I. Strakhova; Member of the Union of Writers of Russia, winner of the Governor’s Prize named after E.N. Kuznetsov. E.N. Nosov N.D. Pakhomov; administration, employees and students of KSMU.

Victor Anatolievich Lazarenko together with the State Minister of Health of Sri Lanka Arambepola Sitha Kumari inaugurated the bookcrossing.

A theatricalized holiday was prepared for the audience, where A.S. Pushkin’s poems performed by students of IMI and MFK KSMU sounded. An exhibition of A.S. Pushkin’s books and his “drawings in the margins” was organized, immersing the guests in the atmosphere of the Pushkin era.

The event united students from different countries, sincerely passionate about Russian language and literature. Literally everything caused a real delight in the audience.

At the end of the event the head of the library of KSMU A.V. Danilova presented letters of thanks and gifts to the participants. The celebration of A.S. Pushkin’s Birthday and the opening of the bookcrossing “Letter A” ended with a friendly tea party with sweets, baranki and Ceylon tea. The event gave all participants a lot of positive emotions.

Impressions about the evening were shared by Harsh Mulik, a student from India, who enjoyed playing the role of a poet: “I have recently started studying Russian. Today’s event was just great. I got acquainted with Pushkin’s poetry when I was in my first year at university. I remember that I found Pushkin’s work very interesting, and the works I read impressed me very much”.