Arsenii Matiushchenko with the Egyptian youth of the Russian Youth Club in the presentation
The celebration was attended by the centre's director, Arsenii Matiushchenko, along with members of the Russian Youth Club at the Russian House in Dokki, who study Russian at Egyptian universities.
Acting Director of the Russian Cultural Centres Arsenii Matiushchenko talks about iconic Russian female figures
Exhibition and Speeches
The photo exhibition showcases images of prominent Russian and Egyptian women from ancient and modern times, focusing on their crucial role in development, wars, and nation-building.
Matiushchenko opened the event with a speech emphasizing the importance of women in society across all fields. He highlighted the significant contributions of Soviet and Russian women during World War II, on the home front and the battlefields. He also spoke about how Russian women have been instrumental in national development, contributing to all production sectors and occupying key leadership positions, significantly advancing life in Russia.
Matiushchenko noted that celebrating Women’s Day is an opportunity to thank every woman who positively contributes to society's growth and development.
Youth Presentations: Russian and Egyptian Icons
Following the opening speech, members of the Russian Youth Club at the Russian House in Cairo presented a series of talks highlighting influential women from both nations and drawing parallels between their struggles and triumphs.
Russian Icons:
The first Russian figure was Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. On 16 June 1963, Tereshkova made history by becoming the first woman to travel into space aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. Her successful mission marked a significant moment in history, and former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser awarded her the Nile Medal during a visit to Egypt.
The second Russian figure was Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, a Soviet fighter during World War II. Kosmodemyanskaya fought against the German invasion of Soviet territory, and was captured and tortured by the Germans, but never revealed any information. She was eventually executed in public and posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Another notable Russian figure was Maya Plisetskaya, the famous Soviet and Russian ballerina and choreographer. Plisetskaya performed for over 40 years with the Bolshoi Ballet, achieving worldwide fame and solidifying her name as one of the most renowned dancers in ballet history. She performed in numerous countries and was the first principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet. She also choreographed many famous ballets, including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Carmen. Plisetskaya also performed on Egyptian stages during a Bolshoi Ballet tour.
A member of the Russian Youth Club highlights a Russian female figure on International Women's Day
Egyptian Icons:
The youth then presented several influential Egyptian women starting with Merit-Ptah, the first female doctor in history, who lived around 2700 BCE.
The next figure was Umm Kolthoum, the iconic Egyptian singer who remains a towering figure in Arab music. Known for her powerful voice and immense popularity across the Arab world, Umm Kolthoum - who visited Moscow in 1970 - is regarded as the "Artist of the Century." Despite her passing 50 years ago, she remains beloved.
They also talked about Huda Sha'arawi, a prominent social figure and pioneer of the Egyptian feminist movement. Sha'arawi fought tirelessly for women's freedom and founded the Egyptian Feminist Union.
Another significant figure was Dr. Samira Moussa, Egypt’s first female nuclear physicist. Moussa was the first woman to teach at Cairo University and significantly contribute to nuclear science. Tragically, she died in a car accident during a visit to the United States.
At the end of the celebration, Matiushchenko thanked the youth union for their hard work in preparing and delivering these talks on famous female figures with enthusiasm.
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