President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.
Yesterday, our country marked National Unity Day. This occasion is not merely a homage to a significant historical event and its heroes; it epitomises the unity of our diverse populace unified around shared values. One such fundamental value is and has always been the Russian language.
Supporting Russian as the official language of the Russian Federation, along with the languages of the peoples of Russia, ranks among our foremost priorities. Today, we shall deliberate on what form this support should take, considering the rapid transformations both within our country and globally, and what further measures are necessary to preserve and promote the development of the languages of all our nation’s peoples, alongside our common Russian language, the mother tongue of every Russian citizen.
Despite the unique ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity that characterises our nation, it is the Russian language that largely defines our spiritual and national identity. I believe this should underpin the general education programmes in subjects such as Russian Language and the Language of the People, the official language of the Republic of the Russian Federation.
I concur with those experts advocating for the creation of unified national textbooks for these subjects. Their content must be balanced and interconnected, taking into account the unique perceptions and cognitive styles of today's youth. Additionally, we must consider the capabilities of the National Vocabulary Foundation state information system, which is set to commence operations as early as next year, 2025.
The decision to establish this vital database stems from the necessity to create an official repository of knowledge concerning the canonical norms and rules of the contemporary Russian literary language. This public resource, alongside dictionaries in general, is essential for those engaged with language in their professional and social spheres: academic staff, school and university students, government officials, and our lawmakers at all levels.
Another pressing matter is the teaching of Russian language and literature in Donbass and Novorossiya. I am delighted to welcome creative individuals and educators from our historic regions to the new Council. Numerous socially significant facilities are presently being actively constructed and upgraded there, including educational institutions. I firmly believe that classrooms dedicated to Russian literature must be equipped with all necessary resources as a priority.
I urge the Ministry of Education, authorities at all levels, public organisations, and our enterprises and companies that assist in equipping schools to take heed.
Furthermore, it would be fitting to establish centres for the promotion of the Russian language and the works of our renowned writers within public libraries in the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, as well as in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Simultaneously, we recognise that the acquisition of language and the cultivation of speech culture commence at preschool age, at home, within the family. Children's books play an immense role in this regard, their importance to the complete development of personality being simply immeasurable.
Respect for books and the desire to introduce children to reading from a young age are deeply rooted in our traditions. Let us collectively ponder how we might assist parents and grandparents in enriching their home libraries with kind, intelligent, and high-quality children's literature.
I would also like to hear your views on what additional support might be necessary for state children's libraries. Such libraries are a unique asset to Russia. I request regional leaders to more actively support libraries in replenishing their collections, repairing and equipping them, and expanding their spaces. I have often stated that our goal is to transform these libraries into genuine centres of education, upbringing, and cultural and social life, especially in rural areas and small towns.
School libraries also warrant special attention. I believe that their role within the contemporary education system can be far more significant. They should become focal points for children, spaces of knowledge, and librarians should become respected, competent mentors, actively engaging in the educational process. They can lead additional educational programmes and organise events related to current occasions and significant dates, such as, for instance, the anniversary of Alexander Pushkin, the creator of the Russian literary language and the foundation of contemporary speech.
This year, the celebration of the 225th anniversary of the birth of the great poet was marked by vibrant forums, events, and programmes. I am convinced that projects dedicated to the works of our literary geniuses should be held on a regular basis and become an integral part of our cultural scene.
Not long ago, reading programmes where popular actors and professional readers read literary pieces at concerts or at field lecture venues were quite popular with the audiences. This practice should be reinstated, primarily at schools and colleges, so that young people can hear and appreciate the perfect sounds of their native language, and absorb its beauty and rich imagery from an early age. I am confident that the Knowledge Society which we recently reinstated will be willing to work on these programmes and will use its newly expanded resources to do so.
Notably, there is more to bringing up younger generations than just literary classics. Even today, many works are being created that combine high artistic value with a civic stance. We should support talented authors who follow contemporary events and lives of real-life heroes in their books, and help their books find their readers both at home and abroad. This can be done through Russian cultural and educational centres that are available in many countries worldwide.
I would like the members of our Council to team up with the Foreign Ministry in order to analyse the activities of these organisations and help them structure their work in a more systematic and high-quality manner, taking into account Russia’s long-term interests and our plans for expanding international cooperation with the Global Majority countries.
Additionally, it is important to actively engage with civic societies, writers, and cultural figures, including those from Europe whose ruling elites openly pursue anti-Russia policies. This does not negate our good relations with the people who live in these countries.
I am aware of an idea to establish a special scholarship for young, talented Russian language specialists from other countries who teach the Russian language and literature and promote our culture internationally, often in quite challenging circumstances. This is a great idea, and I fully support it. I suggest naming the scholarship after the outstanding philologist and linguist, Professor Lyudmila Verbitskaya. An excellent teacher, scholar, and a true enthusiast, Lyudmila Verbitskaya was one of people who spearheaded the creation of the Russian Language Council.
The successor to this body is our newly established Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian Language and the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation. This Council is intended to serve as the principal coordinator of interagency cooperation in this domain, as well as in addressing the challenges of enhancing the global standing of the Russian language.
We must ensure that all possible conditions are met for those who wish to gain a better understanding of our country and learn our language. In this regard, I would like to address the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Foreign applicants wishing to enter Russian educational institutions must pass a Russian language test. To enable them, like Russian citizens, to apply to multiple universities simultaneously, these tests must adhere to a single standard, common to all universities across the nation. I urge you to resolve this issue.
Uniform rules concerning the knowledge of the Russian language are also necessary for those coming to Russia for work. It is essential to define and set the levels of language proficiency, taking into account the actual requirements of employment, everyday communication, professional demands, and our social and cultural standards of conduct. We should also devise a unified federal strategy for working with the children of immigrants who have limited or no command of the Russian language. I request my colleagues to submit pertinent proposals.
In conclusion, concerning legal regulation in the area of language policy: The law On the Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation, adopted back in 1991, clearly requires substantial amendments, ranging from creating an official register of such languages to aligning the law with contemporary realities and current legislation.
I reiterate: supporting the Russian language and promoting it globally, alongside preserving the languages of all the peoples of Russia, are of paramount significance to our multinational country. They must receive appropriate support – be it legal, resource-based, or substantive and conceptual.
I call upon the Presidential Administration and the Council to outline the fundamental, strategic objectives and areas within this crucial sphere and to draft the Fundamentals of State Policy in this area.
Let us start our work.
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