Russia and African nation set new tone in music ties (PHOTOS)

A Moscow conservatory and one in Mali will collaborate on research, training, and artistic exchange

A conservatory in Russia and one in Mali have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in music education, research, and cultural exchange.

The signing ceremony was held on Thursday in Bamako between the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and the Balla Fasséké Kouyaté Multimedia Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, according to a report by African Initiative.

In addition to the formal agreement, the Russian delegation hosted master classes, joint performances with local musicians, and a concert blending classical and traditional music. The event was attended by diplomats, journalists and business leaders.

The concert was held at the International Conference Center in Bamako to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Mali.

During the concert, Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko highlighted the growing momentum in cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. 

He pointed to a significant meeting in September in St. Petersburg between Mali’s Minister of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry, and Tourism Mamou Daffé and Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova.

“Our cultural and humanitarian cooperation has finally gained momentum,” Gromyko said, as quoted by African Initiative.

In another move advancing education partnership with the Sahel countries, Russia inaugurated a Center for Open Education (COE) in Burkina Faso this week. The initiative, based out of the Russian House in Ouagadougou, is operated by South Ural State Pedagogical University.

The center aims to serve as a platform for students from the Sahel state hoping to pursue an education in Russia or familiarize themselves with the language. According to the Russian House in Burkina Faso, the project is “vivid proof” of both nations’ commitment to building durable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

Meanwhile, the Russian House in Guinea announced the launch of a preparatory faculty of the Novosibirsk State Agrarian University at Nelson Mandela University in Conakry. 

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The program, launched in late October, offers courses in Russian, chemistry, and biology, with the goal of preparing Guinean students for academic training in Russia.