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Say 'Yes' to Russian

Get fascinating insights when you Say ‘Da’ to Russian

It’s time to say privyet to a new language as Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week gets underway today. Expect traditional fashion, music and lots of dumplings!

Russia is the biggest and one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Widely used from Central Europe to Central Asia, Russian is the seventh most spoken language on the planet.

This marks another exciting week of our Say ‘Yes’ to Languages summer campaign. So far we’ve celebrated Spanish, Japanese and Italian. Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week promises to be just as much fun.

What’s happening during Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week?

Spanning two continents, Russia is home to 185 ethnicities and a rich history. During Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week, get a snapshot into the lives of Russian speakers.

Discover the secrets of the Russian alphabet, uncover classic films and much more. Here are just some of the highlights you can look forward to during Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week.

Kick start your Russian on Monday

There’s no time like the present to immerse yourself in Russian. Learn basic greetings and vocabulary, then try your hand at our interactive quiz.

Today you can also meet this week’s Language Ambassador, Bláithín Macken Smith. This Trinity College Dublin alumni is on-hand to guide you through the week’s online activities. As well as having a BA in Modern Irish and Russian, she’s travelled around the Ukraine and studied in Moscow.

#TastyTuesday is a feast for the senses

Get transported to a virtual Russian New Year’s Eve feast this #TastyTuesday. Pull up a chair and tuck into delicious traditional dishes like Herring in a Fur Coat. Intrigued? Find out all about this and more delicacies when you visit our social media channels!

If you want to turn that virtual feast into a reality, we’ve also got the solution. Head to Instagram and follow the recipe story to recreate your own pirozhki s kapustoi (Russian dumplings).

Wednesday wardrobe

Traditional dress in Russia doesn’t just mean one thing. Due to dozens of cultures in a vast country, there is incredible diversity. Marvel at beautiful examples of Tatar, Yakut and Bashkir clothing. Plus learn a little vocabulary along the way.

You can also find out more about these groups through our interview with Irish masters student Sorcha Scarff. She specialises in civil rights and talks about the indigenous peoples in Russia she studies.

Dig a little deeper this Thursday

Think you might be interested in studying Russian? From Saturday courses to third level degrees, pinpoint the learning route that suits you this Thursday.

Of course, there are lots of career options open to Russian speakers. For that reason, we’re zooming in on gaming in Russia. Valued at $2bn, it is one of the biggest gaming industries on the globe. If games are your passion, this might be the language for you.

Language Ambassador Bláithín Macken Smith is also answering lots of questions on Instagram Live. Hear her first-hand experiences of studying, travelling and living in Russian.

Turn it up on Friday

On Friday things are getting even more immersive. Listen to our specially crafted Spotify playlist and meet Winnie the Pooh in Russian.

Then it’s time to take part in our big Russian quiz. Test the knowledge you’ve picked up during the week. Answer questions on greetings, food, geography and more. If you’re lucky, you might just win a prize.

How can I take part in Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week?

To take part in any of our Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week activities, head to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. When you follow our social media channels, you can find all the latest content, updates and more.

Fast facts about Russian

Official language in:

  • Russian Federation
  • Belarus
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan

Native speakers: 150 million

Most speakers where it isn’t an official language: Ukraine with over 29 million speakers and Germany with over 3 million speakers

Study Russian in Ireland

If you want to study Russian in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin is the place for you. Take a look at the Languages Connect Careers Portal Language Course Finder to see where Russian is the main focus. Alternatively, mix languages with another subject in these language options courses.

Keep learning after Say ‘Yes’ to Russian week

Feel like your Russian adventure is just beginning? Then we’ve got good news. Continue your learning via our Russian hub. You can also see how budding learners get on and hear from journalist Conor O’Clery in our Russian YouTube playlist.

Of course, you can always keep on top of all the latest tips, games and competitions when you follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.