THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

The International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature (MAPRYAL) was founded as a public and non-governmental organisation at an Inaugural Conference in Paris (7-9 September 1967), on the initiative of scholars from a number of countries. In 1975 it was accorded UNESCO's consultative status, category "C".

A prime mover in the establishment of the Association was its first president, the distinguished Russian philologist, Academician Viktor Vladimirovich Vinogradov. Members of MAPRYAL see their task as fostering the successful teaching of Russian language and literature and propagating the cultural and spiritual values which have accrued over the centuries thanks to the unremitting efforts of the best representatives of the Russian people.

The Association has had a substantial impact on the study and teaching of Russian language, literature and culture to a foreign audience, with the backing of teaching and research centres, theoreticians and practitioners, teachers in universities and schools, translators, interpreters and area studies specialists.

Influential research centres have been set up, highly-qualified linguists trained, interesting modern textbooks written, opinions and experience exchanged at numerous symposia, conferences and congresses, thanks to the creative work of national associations of Russianists in many countries in Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Australasia. The Association has held over 350 professional events in the 30 years of its existence. The next Russian Language, Literature and Culture at the Turn of the Century, will take place in Bratislava (Slovakia) in July 1999.

International Olympiads for pupils of Russian, held at three-yearly intervals in Moscow, play a major part in training successive generations of Russianists. Hundreds of girls and boys from dozens of countries compete in national heats for the right to participate in this Moscow youth festival

The Association's house journals Russian Abroad and MAPRYAL Herald, assisted by sister journals published in individual countries, help to popularise the Association's activities.

MAPRYAL currently numbers 189 collective and 14 individual members from 75 countries of the world. Over the years, 199 of the most active Russianists in 54 countries have been awarded MAPRYAL's highest distinction, the Pushkin Medal, for merit in the propagation and teaching of the Russian language.

In ushering in its 30th anniversary (1967-1997), MAPRYAL is brimming with energy and ideas. Dozens of specialist international events are planned in a number of countries, new approaches in teaching are being developed and programmes implemented, some under the aegis of UNESCO and the Council of Europe, on problems of language acquisition, the certification of various levels of Russian language proficiency, and learning how to live in a multicultural society.

MAPRYAL invites linguists from various countries and continents
Russian teachers are ready and waiting
The language of the biggest new market in the world
There could hardly be a better time to study Russian
Sets your school and your pupils apart from the crowd
Join our Association!

in Saint-Petersburg:
MAPRYAL Office
Room 204
Lieutenant Schmidt Emb., 11/2
St.-Petersburg, Russian Federation
199034
Tel./fax. +7(812) 323-6620
Tel. +7(812)320-6862
Mailto: info@mapryal.org

in Moscow:
MAPRYAL Office
Volgina st., 6
Moscow
Russian Federation
117485
Tel. +7(095)330-0477, +7(095)330-8992
Fax +7(095)330-8565
Mailto: maprial@rambler.ru

President of MAPRYAL Professor Lyudmila Verbitskaja (Russia)
Vice-President Professor Vitalii Kostomarov (Russia)
Vice-President Professor Dan Davidson (USA)
Vice-President Professor Arto Mustajoki (Finland)
Vice-President Professor Vladova Iliana (Bulgaria)
General Secretary Professor Liu Limin (China)
Assistant General Secretary Professor Evgenij Yurkov (Russia)
Assistant General Secretary Professor Urij Prohorov (Russia)
Treasurer Professor Tatiana Mlechko (Moldova)