The program of the event, held in Russian and English languages, included a presentation of the exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of RCSC in Malta as well as history of Russian cultural diplomacy and Russian-Maltese cross-cultural connections. The latter was presented in an unusual format: students and graduates of the RCSC language courses read excerpts from travel notes, diary entries, memoirs and archival documents written by a number of Russian historical and cultural figures who have direct or indirect links to Malta.

The central figure of the event, however, was Fr. Marius Zerafa, a prominent cultural and public figure in Malta, a former director of the Malta Museum of fine arts, a writer, an artist, a sculptor, and a co-founder of the Maltese-Soviet friendship society (since 1974).

Fr. Marius turned 91 this year and despite this ripe age is full of energy and happy to share memories of days gone by. What childhood impressions have formed his continuous sympathy for Russia? Why was it difficult to establish a friendship society with the USSR in Malta, a former British colony? Why was the opening of the RCSC on November 8, 1990 one of the most notable events in the cultural life of Malta? Fr. Zerafa answers these and other questions in his video interview taken by the RCSC press service in October 2020 is available at the link.

Follow the 30th anniversary of the RCSC’s event in full at the link.