Diplomatic Desk:
To commemorate the 96th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore’s historic 1930 visit to the Soviet Union, the Russian House in Dhaka organized a special cultural event. Titled “A World Filled with Light: Rabindranath’s Journey to Russia—Letters, Songs, and Reflections,” the program highlighted Tagore’s experiences in Russia, his thoughts on education and society, and the long-standing cultural and educational ties between Bangladesh and Russia.
The event focused on Tagore’s observations of Soviet society, as well as his reflections on education, social progress, human dignity, and the lives of ordinary people. Alexandra A. Khlevnaya, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, spoke at the event. She noted Tagore’s deep interest in and admiration for the Soviet education system, emphasizing that the poet’s ideas on education remain relevant today for fostering mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia.
She further mentioned that the number of Russian government scholarships available to Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education in Russia is increasing annually, creating new opportunities for the youth of Bangladesh.
A highlight of the program was the recitation of poetry in both Bengali and Russian. Veronika Klimchenko, a student from St. Petersburg State University—who studied Bengali as a foreign language and is currently completing an internship at Daffodil International University—recited a poem by Tagore. Students from the Russian language courses at the Russian House in Dhaka also participated in the recitation segment.
The cultural exchange between Bangladesh and Russia was further brought to life through musical performances. Students from MGIMO University in Moscow performed the Rabindra Sangeet “Ami Chinigo Chini Tomare,” while Yuliana Zhavoronkova sang “Gramchhara Oi Rangamatir Poth.” Additionally, artists from the cultural organization ‘Sanskriti’ performed a selection of Tagore’s songs. Additionally, a special discussion was held regarding Rabindranath Tagore’s experiences in Russia and his literary pursuits. During this segment, the book The Soviet Union in Its Early Days: In the Eyes of the Poet Rabindranath Tagore, authored by Dr. Indrajit Roy, was introduced, with a review presented by Mostak Ahmed. Furthermore, selected excerpts from Letters from Russia were read, and the documentary Tagore in Russia (1961) was screened.
According to the organizers, one of the primary objectives of such events is to further strengthen mutual understanding, respect, and friendship between the people of Bangladesh and Russia through literature, music, and education. The event also played a significant role in highlighting the significance of Tagore’s historic visit to Russia to the younger generation.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to the Russian House in Dhaka—and its president, Dr. Mokbul Hossain—for their support in successfully hosting the event. Thanks were also extended to all the participating artists, students, researchers, and guests.
