CARTA renews student interest in Russian

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From The University of Tulsa Collegian 4/4/06

CARTA renews student interest in Russian
Olga Doshlygina, Staff Writer

The sanctuary of Sharp Chapel filled with the resounding voice of
world-famous Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko lastFriday night, as
mesmerized guests listened to his Golden Hits at the opening of the eighth
Annual CARTA Conference. The English version was read by students Carolyn
Mason, Gabriel Perurena and Yevtushenkos son Zhenya.

A living classic of Russian literature whose works have been translated
into 72 languages, Yevtushenko is currently a professor at TU who teaches
classes in literature and cinema. In October 2005 he drew an audience of
2000 for Shostakovichs poetry reading together with his students at the
Tulsa Performing Arts Center. His latest accomplishment is honorary
membership in CARTAthe Central Association of Russian Teachers of America.
Actually an acronym that means map in Russian, CARTA is a leading
organization that designs ways to promote awareness and interest for
Russian culture and Russian studies in America. What started eight years
ago as a meeting of six enthusiasts is now a conference with over 50
teachers and professors from 10 states that gather for three days of
passionate discussion.

The 2006 CARTA conference was co-sponsored by The University of Tulsa and
took place at Doubletree Downtown March 31 through April 2. This years
conference was made possible by TUs College of Arts & Sciences, and Dean
Tom Benediktson in particular, said Elena Doshlygina, professor of Russian
at TU and the head of the organizational committee. Russian is a key
language for the university and its goal of internationalization.
Besides that, Russian is a key language for life. CARTA 2006 featured
Russian General Consul Nikolay Sofinsky, who named CARTA a sterling
organization that keeps the interest for Russia strong in the central
states of the U.S.

Last year, the consulate presented two scholarships for study programs in
Russia and conducted an essay contest about Russian-American WWII
cooperation through CARTA; according to Sofinsky, the cooperation will
keep expanding. In Russia, we say that every child is a desirable child.
Just the same, everyone who loves Russia and its culture is a desirable
member of CARTAbe it the General Consul of Russia or a college freshman,
said Mara Sukholutskaya, the organizations president. Students are just as
involved as professors: they attend sessions both as presenters and
listeners and handle the organizational aspects of the conference. This
year, 10 people from TUs Russian Club worked to make this years CARTA
conference a success. I listened to lectures on teaching abroad, language
policy, cross-cultural communication, the problems of contemporary
Russiathe spectrum was amazing, said TU student Justin Sobrino. But here
is the most important lesson for me: when so many people love Russia, I
believe that spreading love for Russia is a worthy cause that will
definitely succeed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=2939