Ireland’s first Russian-language children’s library.

On 13 September, Saturday Ireland’s first Russian-language children’s library was open in Galway.  This great event was attended by Mayor of Galway Donal Lyons, Russian Ambassador to Ireland Maxim Peshkov, Julia Subbotina-Mikhalkova, wife of late Sergey Mihkalkov, after which the library is named, Egor Konchalovsky, famous Russian film maker, producer, grandson of late popular poet who was also a playwright, author of three versions of national anthem.

The library project was initiated by Russian Cultural Club Alliance, which was established in

Galway 10 years ago and unites about 1500 expats from the former USSR, supports and enforces Russian traditions and is actively involved in cultural events organised by Galway city/ county

One of the most important projects is Paper Crane Educational Club for children, which was

opened 6 years ago. At present more than 100 kids aged 2 to 16 from ex-USSR and Irish

families are educated at the club. The following classes are taught: theatre studio, arts, break-

dance, Russian as a native/second language, Russian for adopted and Irish children, Russian for Leaving Certificate students. The last mentioned course is funded by Post- Primary Languages.

The initiative of opening this Library is kindly supported by Galway Primary school Scoil

Bhríde Shantalla represented by its Principal Mr. Frank Keane and the teachers. Mr. Keane and his staff were at the event too.

The library project is funded by the non-profit Russian Cultural Foundation named after Sergey Mihkalkov. Over 500 books were brought to Galway and its funds will be regularly re-stocked with new editions, films, CDs by this Foundation.

The Opening Ceremony was not only a touching and colourful event with kids participation but also included a great concert of Russian Folk Group from Vologda, an ancient city of Russia.

Alliance Russian Cultural Centre  Paper Crane Kids Educational Club  73 Gort Geine,Rahoon,Galway,Ireland

www.papercrane.eu e-mail: schoolpapercrane@gmail.com Tel: +353 87 2501263, +353 83 3392530