Celebrating Linguistic Talent: BelSU Poetry Recital Showcases Language Skills

The event drew participants from Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) and five local schools, showcasing a rich tapestry of linguistic talent. This year’s competition featured students from various faculties, including the Institute of Cross-Cultural Communication, the Faculty of Foreign Languages, and the Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Biology, alongside pupils from Mayskaya Gymnasium and other regional schools.

Organised by the efforts of the Second Foreign Languages Department’s Associate Professor Natalia Fisunova and Senior Lecturer Anna Lukhanina led by Department’s Head Natalia Sheifel, the event aimed to enhance career guidance while celebrating language arts. Participants showcased their skills in reciting poetry and prose across multiple languages, including Russian, Chinese, English, German, and Spanish.

In a standout moment, Nikita Kuzminov clinched first place in the challenging Chinese category with a captivating rendition of Li Bo's Moon Over the Mountain Pass. Polina Sazonova enchanted the audience in the English category with her fairytale-like performance of Roald Dahl’s Cinderella. The German category winners delivered a musical version of Teremok, while Evgeniya Berezhanskaya secured her second consecutive win in Spanish with Para Vivir No Quiero by Pedro Salinas. Wei Yifang triumphed in Russian with Fyodor Tyutchev's poignant poem I Knew Those Eyes – Oh, Those Eyes.

All participants displayed exceptional language proficiency and creativity, transforming their recitations into engaging mini-performances with music and presentations.

Participants expressed gratitude for the enriching experience. Yana Kharskaya, an English teacher at “My School,” remarked, “My students and I truly enjoy these events; we never miss one!” Natalia Sheifel emphasized that such competitions offer a unique opportunity to appreciate high-quality performances in multiple languages while fostering connections with native speakers.

At the end of the event, she invited teachers and students to participate in the upcoming Christmas Meetings, the next event organized by the Second Foreign Language Department, scheduled for December 19. This announcement was met with enthusiasm, as students and teachers from schools across the Belgorod Region expressed their willingness to continue participating in department’s events.