Dear friends!

The Orthodox Brotherhood of Apostles Saints Peter and Paul is pleased to host the 4th Russian Language Day on June 11, 2011. This event is organised with support from the Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Hong Kong and Macau, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Russian Language Center and the Council of Russian Compatriots in Hong Kong and Macau.

This year activities of Russian Language Day are dedicated to Russian fairy tales and legends.

If you are interested in Russia and study Russian, we would like to invite you to participate in the following contests and activities announced in preparation for Russian Language Day.

1. Compose a fairy tale

   Please compose a fairy tale according to the first lines given below:

   Жил-был царь Берендей, у него было три сына, младшего звали Иваном. И был у царя сад великолепный; росла в том саду яблоня с золотыми яблоками. Стал кто-то царский сад посещать, золотые яблоки воровать. Царь перестал и пить и есть, затосковал. Решили сыновья узнать, кто в сад приходит и яблоки ворует. Пошел старший сын. Ходил весь день, а к ночи уснул. Утром спрашивает его царь, а он и отвечает: Я всю ночь не спал, глаз не смыкал, а никого не видал. Отправился средний сын — тоже всю ночь проспал, а утром сказал, что никого не видел. Пошел в третью ночь Иван-царевич. Половина ночи прошла, ему и кажется: в саду свет. Светлее и светлее. Весь сад осветило. Он видит — на яблоню села Жар-птица и клюет золотые яблоки.

Requirements:
   The fairy tale should be in Russian and 400 words minimum; it can be submitted by email or in hard copy.

2. Essay contest

   Write an essay on one of the following topics:

   1. Main character of Russian fairy tales is often a simple guy notable neither for intelligence nor for strength. He doesn't resemble a knight or a bogatyr (a heroic warrior) and would rather stay at home than fight. But at the end he overcomes all difficulties, defeats all his enemies, marries a beautiful tsarevna and gets half a kingdom as a dowry. Why do you think this happens? What helps the hero and why is he so generously rewarded? Do you think this reflects some features of Russian national character?
   2. There are a lot of mythical characters in Russian fairy tales. Most famous and “beloved” ones are Baba Yaga the witch, Koschei the Deathless and Zmey Gorynych the dragon. And what fabled beings (good or evil) are there in the fairy tales and legends of your people? Describe two or three of them. Are they similar to any Russian characters?
   3. There are lots of fairy tales about animals in Russian folklore. Bear is clumsy but unmalitious, fox is cunning and wolf is wicked. And what animals are most common in the fairy tales and legends of your people? Describe two or three of them. Are they similar to any Russian characters?

Requirements:
   The essay should be 400 words minimum and written in Russian or in your native language; it can be submitted by email or in hard copy.

3. Photography contest “Russian Trace in Hong Kong”

   Send us a photograph capturing elements of the Russian culture, language or Russian way of life in Hong Kong.

Requirements:
   High resolution only, creativity without stereotypes.

4. Video project

Make a 5-minute video on one of the following topics:
    1) a funny or serious music video for a Russian song;
    2) a talk or an interview (or a series of interviews) with people in Hong Kong about the Russian language and/or culture;
    3) a video illustrating how you study Russian or get acquainted with Russia.

5. “Legends of May”, a month of fairy tales

   Come to our cinema club in May as all Tuesdays of this month will be dedicated to Russian fairy tales and legends.

   All films run with English subtitles and start at 7.30pm at the Russian Language Center.

   The program of the “Legends of May” is available here

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How to participate:

• Send your works (photographs, fairy tales and essays) to contact@rlc.hk or bring them to the Russian Language Center.
• Entries will be accepted until June 1, 2011.

Contest results will be announced and awards presented on June 11, 2011.

You can call us at 2598 8389 or write to contact@rlc.hk
if you have any questions about the contests.