Russian Folklore for Foreignors

Marina Sheveleva, Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Languages delivered a lecture on Russian culture to students and lecturers of Montclair State University (USA).

The event was organized by the International Office of Montclair State University. Maria Sheveleva delivered a lecture on ‘Sharing Distinctive Values of Russian Culture’. She spoke about Russian folklore, the attitude towards the earth and friendship in our culture. The participants showed great interest in the Russian folklore characters, Domovoy and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). It is well-known that elves help Santa Claus during Christmas, while in Russia, Snegurochka – the granddaughter of Father Frost -  helps him to distribute presents to children.

The students asked the lecturer about the difference between Christmas and New Year celebrations in Russia and about the fairytale characters most loved by Russian children. At the end of the lecture, the participants had a tea party with cracknels and gingerbread.

Marina Sheveleva reached the finals of the competition for the Fulbright Faculty Development Programme. Now she works at Montclair Public Research University in New Jersey (USA). The grant programme enabled Marina to work on her own course ‘Speaking in an Academic Context’.