Penza, 12 May 2016. PenzaNews. The Penza State University will be hosting the 5th international students forum “Dialogue of Cultures” on May 18-19.

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“The motto of this anniversary fifth forum is ‘All Flags Come Visit Us.’ It will bring together around 1,000 representatives of 50 countries who are currently living in the Penza region. The forum will last for two days. May 18 will feature an extensive educational, cultural and sports schedule,” announced Natalya Tupareva, director of the PSU cultural center.

The forum’s official opening ceremony with ensemble performances will be held at 13.00 at “Penzaconcert,” accompanied by an arts and crafts exhibition in the foyer.

The forum will be featuring such discussion platforms as “Quality Education in Russia – Foundation for Successful Future in Native Country,” “Global Economic Challenges and Problems,” “Multinational Russia: History and Modern Times,” “Russian Language – Foundation of Successful Communication Between Cultures,” and “National and Cultural Identity in Modern World,.”

The sports program, which begins at 17.30, will feature a parade, a relay of ethnicities, and a soccer match between international teams of citizens of Russia and other countries.

“The forum visitors on May 19 will be able to enjoy a variety of topical platforms – Houses of National Dance, National Song, National Cuisine and National Literature,” explained Sergei Vasin, PSU vice-principal for international activities.

For the first time, this year’s forum will be featuring a variety of Houses of National Ethnicities – Russian, Morvodian, Tatar, Chuvash, German, Arabian, African, Turkmenian, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Indian.

“During a visit to each of the Houses, the guests will be able to learn more about their national customs, traditions, clothing, landmarks, arts and crafts. The houses will be open between 10.00 and 13.30. The forum will close at 13.30 with a khorovod of friendship. We hope it will involve not just the foreign students, but also our other students who will be able to learn more about foreign cultures and find new friends,” the press service of the university quotes the vice-principal.

The idea of the Penza students forum “Dialogue of Cultures” first emerged in 2012. It was scheduled to coincide with May 21, UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

The first forum held in the same year brought together around 300 students of 10 different ethnicities.