Vadim Fefilov: Bella Yesajanyan brought Golden Age closer to us
10.11.2022
Vadim Fefilov: Bella Yesajanyan brought Golden Age closer to us

An international conference dedicated to the 90th birthday of Professor Bella Yesajanyan, a renowned educator and an expert in Russia, was held at ASPU on November 10.

The event entitled "Russian Language as Guarantor of Cultural Dialogue, Scientific Cooperation, International and Interpersonal Communication in the 21st Century" was attended by representatives of the Russian Embassy in Armenia and Rossotrudnichestvo, professors and teachers of Russian Language and Literature, post-graduate students, masters, graduates of different years, who spoke about the scientific path and activities of the distinguished educator.

ASPU Rector Srbuhi Gevorgyan emphasized the importance of the conference and noted that Bella Yesajanyan has left an indelible imprint on the lives of many of the participants. Many have been lucky enough to work with the famous linguist, talented pedagogue, methodologist and professor, whose bright image and professional legacy accompany them to this day.

Speaking about the biography of the famous scientist, the Srbuhi Gevorgyan said ‘there are personalities whose greatness is determined by time.’ Several generations have been educated with the textbooks authored by Professor Yesajanyan. "She devoted 65 years of her life to teaching. For many years, she headed the Chair of Russian Language and its Teaching Methods at ASPU, passing on his rich experience and knowledge [to next generations]. Her works and the methods she developed for teaching Russian language are in great demand not only in Armenia, but also beyond its borders," the ASPU rector stressed.

Addressing the conference participants, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin said the event is aimed at uniting all specialists who reveal the richness of the Russian language to generations.

The ambassador emphasized that development of the Russian language and Russian culture outside the Russian Federation is one of the priorities of the country's government, the Russian Embassy in Armenia and the Russian House. In that context, great is the role and contribution of Dr. Bella Yesajanyan, and academician of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Russian Federation, he stressed. "Professor Yesajanyan was one of the organizers of the first conference that brought together Russian language specialists in Armenia. I do hope that there will be exchange of experience. Also, issues related to the development of Russian language teaching methods and innovative methods will be discussed."

In his message, Vadim Fefilov, Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Armenia, hailed the fact that the conference was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of an academician of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Russian Federation – a pedagogue who left a great scientific legacy. "Today, specialists of the Russian language have an important role in society. They introduce the young generations to the rich cultural heritage of the country and shape the image of modern Russia among pupils. The golden age will come when pedagogy prospers. We are grateful to Bella Yesajanyan for bringing that golden age closer to us," he said.

Mariam Ispiryan, ASPU Vice-Rector for Education and Science, referred to the multi-content elements of Bella Yesajanyan's scientific works. Ispiryan’s scientific paper had been supervised by Bella Yesajanyan.

Vice-Rector Ispiryan appreciates the consistency in her scientific works, strong scientific mind, systematic and flexible approach to solving educational, scientific and methodical problems that emerge during the development of society. "Time itself has proven the relevance of her works, which initially seemed formal and not so important."

Head of the Chair of Pedagogy, Professor Aida Topuzyan worked with the famous scientist for many years. She says Professor Yesajanyan always stressed that an Armenian child should have a good command of his mother tongue, master Russian and know at least one foreign language. "She used to say that one should know his mother tongue very well; it is the basis of knowledge of all other languages."

Candidate of Pedagogical Science, Associate Professor Liliya Balasanyan says students will remember and be guided by Bella Yesajanyan’s pedagogical research for a long time: the famous scientist belongs not only to Armenia, but also to the countries she had connections with and was affiliated with local foundations, associations and organizations.

Liliya Balasanyan says thanks to the professor the Russian language was enlisted as a science among the specialties approved by the RA Supreme Certifying Committee. “She always generated new ideas and thoughts. Great was her role in the creation and application of Russian and national multilingual methods as well,” Liliya Balasanyan.

On behalf of Russia's Ministry of Enlightenment, Mariya Korotina handed a letter of appreciation to Lilia Balasanyan for her contribution in education, popularization of the Russian language, and her efforts to strength Armenian-Russian ties.

In their speeches, the participants of the conference talked about Bella Yesajanyan's significant contribution to bilingual education in Armenia, the textbooks she created, her methods, theory and practice, and human qualities.

Representatives of scientific and educational institutions of the Russian Federation also joined the hybrid conference sharing their memoirs about the famous scientist.

The international conference entitled "Russian language as guarantor of cultural dialogue, scientific cooperation, international and interpersonal communication in the 21st century" continued subgroups, with Russian language specialists addressing the problems in the field.

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