‘Russian Language’: A Bridge That Connects Human Souls

Celebrated globally today, Russian Language Day has found a heartfelt advocate in Ms Evgeniia Smolii, a Senior Lecturer at RUDN University. Teaching at the University of South Africa (UNISA), she describes her work not as a job, but as a sacred mission: “connecting human souls.”

According to Ms Smolii, the rising popularity of the Russian language across Africa is no coincidence. African youth, scientists, and business leaders are choosing it with a clear strategic vision—not just for classical literature, but as a practical tool for advanced technology, fundamental science, and direct communication within BRICS and the Russia-Africa partnership.

“Africans choose Russian because they choose sovereignty, partnership, and a multipolar world,” she notes.

But beyond geopolitics, her classroom tells a deeper story. Ms Smolii beams with pride while speaking about her South African students at UNISA—their fearless curiosity, high energy, and genuine desire to understand the very “soul” of the language. Watching a student go from knowing zero Russian to speaking complete sentences in just one month, she says, is a priceless reward that inspires the teacher as much as the learners.

For her, language is not merely grammar—it is a bridge that unites vastly different cultures and unlocks the heart of human connection.