Rector Lenar Safin: “Confucius is a symbol of wisdom and cooperation”

The XVI BRICS Summit, the most important international event and the main political event of this year, continues its work in the capital of Tatarstan.

On the margins of the summit, Kazan Federal University effectively builds its international dialogue, serving as a platform for a number of significant events with the participation of representatives of the BRICS countries and partners of the organization.

During the visit of the Chinese delegation headed by Shen Haixiong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director General of the China Media Group (CMG), to Kazan Federal University, the guests also visited the monument to Confucius, the great thinker of mankind, which was installed on the territory of the university as part of the cross-cultural year between Russia and the People’s Republic of China.

The event was also attended by Oleg Dobrodeev, Director General of VGTRK, and Bella Cherkesova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation. Accompanied by Rector Lenar Safin, the guests of honor walked to the Lobachevsky Library’s public garden, whose renovation was timed to coincide with the 220th anniversary of the university.

Here, not far from the temple of science, the figure of the “Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations” – an elegant example of a small architectural form, a recognizable symbol of wisdom and cooperation – is located.

As the head of Kazan University noted, there is no other more recognizable representative and spokesman of Chinese statehood, political culture, philosophical and moral system for people around the world.

“In Kazan, which is traditionally considered to be the window to the East, the installation of the Confucius monument on the territory of the University is especially significant. It is symbolic that the first Chinese language department in Russia was opened here in 1837. And today we proudly continue the tradition of teaching Chinese to Russian students,” Lenar Safin emphasized in his welcoming speech.

The Rector added that the year 2024 was rich in anniversaries and memorable dates. There was 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. In addition, 17 years ago the Confucius Institute was opened at Kazan University.

“To learn and implement in time – isn’t that the joy? A friend has come from afar – isn’t it a pleasure?“ Lenar Safin quoted lines from Lun Yu (Analects of Confucius).

According to the Rector, this formula demonstrates the basic Chinese values, which are equally understandable both on the banks of the Yangtze and on the banks of the Volga.

“I am sure that this monument and the garden around it will become a favorite place for students of Kazan University, as well as visitors of our library. They will be a reminder of today’s time of cooperation and mutual understanding, as well as of the dialogue that happened these days in Kazan during the BRICS Summit,” concluded Dr Safin.