Dancing, Drums, and African Languages: HSE University Holds First Afro Festival
On April 23, 2026 the first large-scale Afro Festival was held in the central atrium of the HSE University Pokrovka building. The event was organised by the African Students Association together with the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni. During the festival, HSE students and staff explored the cultures of African countries by listening to music, dancing, and getting to know one another.
Kirill Kisel
Kirill Kisel, Director for Internationalisation, noted that the festival is a unique event for the university. ‘The idea proposed and implemented by the African Students Association is fully consistent with our principles of supporting international students,’ he said. ‘Today, many students from various African countries study at HSE University, and it’s important for us that we understand each other and take an interest in other traditions and languages. Such holidays create a space for genuine mutual cultural exchange. I am sure that the Afro Festival will become a good tradition. Such initiatives make an important contribution to the development of friendly relations between Russia and African countries.’
The event programme featured various activities reflecting the diversity of African culture: quizzes, traditional games, workshops on African languages, and a corner dedicated to African history.
Elza Auman
‘This festival is unique in that African students are fully representing their culture for the first time, and not just taking part in similar big events as in the past,’ said Elza Auman, project team leader at the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni. ‘Today the leader of the African Students Association delivered a welcoming speech, and now an African DJ, who specialises exclusively in African performers and African music trends, is playing on the stage.’
The festival also featured a master class in African dancing and a performance by a drummer.
Benjamin Sarpong, a first-year master’s student of the 'Politics. Economics. Philosophy' programme from Ghana, believes that this festival perfectly demonstrates the beauty of Africa. ‘The atmosphere here is incredible! As soon as the festival started, there were a lot of people here. I like this vibe—everyone is dancing and having fun,’ said the student.
His classmate, Yevugah Senyo Kwame, added that such festivals are a chance to learn about different cultures. ‘This is a great opportunity to get to know someone who studies with you a little better,’ explained the student. Other participants of the festival also shared their impressions of the celebration with the HSE News Service.
Oto Irem, 1st-year student of the Bachelor's in World Economy
— I found out about today's event from a friend of mine—she sent me an announcement and said it would be interesting. Moreover, I live in a dorm where I have a lot of African friends. I thought that it was a good chance to learn more about their culture and get to know each other better. The organisers have prepared an interesting quiz in which they tell us stories and show amazing artifacts. I also drew a map of Africa and got a small henna tattoo.
He Lu, student of the Bachelor's in International Relations
— I love African culture—just yesterday I watched a documentary about African countries. International students at HSE University want to share their culture not only with Russian students, but also with students from other countries (for example, I am from China). I’ve really enjoyed everything today, especially the dancing. I adore African style.
Marian Tolochko, Leading Specialist at the International Event Management and Protocol Centre
— Such events are important for the HSE University community as, first of all, they help us to learn about the cultures of other countries, bring us closer to each other, and unite us. African music is playing here today, I treated myself to an African dessert made from fruits, and it's fun here.
See also:
HSE Scholars Debunk Myth That Africans Fear Russia’s Harsh Winters
Career prospects in Russia prove to be more important for African students than climate, language barriers, or everyday difficulties. HSE researchers came to this conclusion after analysing survey results from students representing 28 countries across the continent. The key factor influencing their decision is the opportunity to start working while still studying.
Tying Knots, Eating Sweets, and Playing Go: HSE University Celebrates Chinese New Year
On February 18, 2026, a celebration of Chinese New Year was held in the central atrium of the Pokrovka building. The festive programme showcased the rich traditions of the holiday, including dance and violin performances, folk games, and a tea ceremony. The event was organised by HSE University's Chinese Culture Club and the Support and Career Centre for International Students and Alumni.
‘HSE Is an Exceptional Chance in My Life’
Mohammed Yassir Ali Osman, from Sudan, graduated from HSE’s Master’s Programme in Population and Development. He is now a doctoral student at the HSE Doctoral School of Sociology and conducts research at the Laboratory of Social and Demographic Policies at the Vishnevsky Institute of Demography. Recently he presented his dissertation on the migration intention of African students in Russia. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Mohammed Yassir Ali Osman shares the highlights of his research, his future plans after completing his PhD, and his advice for prospective researchers.
‘A Bridge Connecting Russia and Africa’
The HSE Centre for African Studies has marked its fifth anniversary. It was established to support Russian companies and government bodies in their engagement with countries across the continent and, over the years, has proved its effectiveness and uniqueness. A ceremonial event to mark the centre’s anniversary was held at HSE’s Cultural Centre.
Showcasing the Diversity of African Heritage at HSE University–St Petersburg
On April 26, HSE University–St Petersburg held the African Festival. Currently, there are more than 100 students from 20 African countries at the university, most of whom showed up for the first festival of its kind this April. HSE's African students proudly presented their traditions, cultural values, vibrant dances, and unique landmarks of their countries. It was an unforgettable journey into the colourful culture and multifaceted heritage of Africa.
HSE Days in Ghana: How the University Attracts Talents and Expands Cooperation with Africa
In March 2025, HSE Days took place in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, the cultural hub of Kumasi, and the Bono East region. Representatives of the university awarded participants of the HSE International Olympiad (HSE INTO 2025) and spoke to local school pupils and university students about educational opportunities, scholarship programmes, and application pathways to HSE University.
HSE Presents an Analytical Handbook on Africa for African Leaders
The HSE University Centre for African Studies has presented an English-language expert-analytical handbook titled ‘Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges.’ For the first time, Russian experts have prepared a comprehensive work aimed at an African audience rather than Russian readers. The handbook incorporates a significant amount of new data and introduces new approaches for assessing development prospects. The presentation took place in Sochi on November 9, 2024, during the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum.
HSE Experts Help to Implement Science and Technology Foresight in Africa
The population of African countries is growing so fast that the continent is likely to play a significant role in global development. However, the socio-economic situation in African States remains dramatic. Access to high-quality education, the development of science and high technologies are crucial in addressing these challenges. Professor Alexander Sokolov, Head of the UNESCO Chair on Future Studies at HSE University, spoke at the International Forum of UNESCO Chairs and Partners ‘Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future.’ The event took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
HSE University at VK Fest: VR Games and Emotion Recognition
On July 13-14, 2024, the annual large-scale VKontakte festival took place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. HSE University, as usual, participated in the event. The university's tent featured a variety of activities, including emotion recognition challenge, quizzes about artificial intelligence, IT career testing, a smile detector, VR gaming, and a blue tractor equipped with a smart sprinkler system.
Keeping Dialogue Open with Africa: Rectors of Regional Universities Visit HSE
At the end of April 2024, HSE University hosted an international conference ‘Export of Russian Education to Africa: Challenges and Opportunities.’ The event was attended by leaders of universities from Mali, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Niger, and Guinea. Together with their Russian counterparts from government bodies, scientific and higher educational institutions, they outlined paths for the development of humanitarian relations and agreed on possible cooperation in the face of a changing world order.