Russia Expects Demand for Arabic to Grow
Russia Expects Demand for Arabic to Grow
13 May
The demand for Arabic and other Eastern languages will grow. This view was expressed at a press conference dedicated to the Festival of Eastern Cultures by Andrei Zeltyn, a leading simultaneous interpreter and Arabist, and senior lecturer at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University.
“Young people today are very drawn to languages. In this, by the way, neural networks deserve much of the credit. The efficiency of these programmes has increased significantly. However, the lack of emotion in machine translation encourages people to learn the language. I believe that in the near future the demand for Eastern languages will continue to rise,” said Zeltyn.
He noted that Kazan Federal University is practically the birthplace of Russian Arabic studies. Today, the overwhelming majority of people in the Middle East and North Africa speak Arabic. To some extent, it is a language that shapes international relations, which is why it attracts so much attention.
The Festival of Eastern Cultures is taking place as part of the programme of the XVII Russia–Islamic World International Economic Forum: KazanForum. The aim of the event is to develop cultural dialogue and strengthen international academic and humanitarian cooperation.
The festival programme includes photo and art exhibitions dedicated to the culture of Arab and Eastern countries, video, poster and photography competitions, open lectures, workshops on Eastern languages, writing systems and traditions, cultural performances by representatives of Islamic countries, and screenings of documentary and educational films about the countries of the East.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
“Young people today are very drawn to languages. In this, by the way, neural networks deserve much of the credit. The efficiency of these programmes has increased significantly. However, the lack of emotion in machine translation encourages people to learn the language. I believe that in the near future the demand for Eastern languages will continue to rise,” said Zeltyn.
He noted that Kazan Federal University is practically the birthplace of Russian Arabic studies. Today, the overwhelming majority of people in the Middle East and North Africa speak Arabic. To some extent, it is a language that shapes international relations, which is why it attracts so much attention.
The Festival of Eastern Cultures is taking place as part of the programme of the XVII Russia–Islamic World International Economic Forum: KazanForum. The aim of the event is to develop cultural dialogue and strengthen international academic and humanitarian cooperation.
The festival programme includes photo and art exhibitions dedicated to the culture of Arab and Eastern countries, video, poster and photography competitions, open lectures, workshops on Eastern languages, writing systems and traditions, cultural performances by representatives of Islamic countries, and screenings of documentary and educational films about the countries of the East.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
