“Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Russia… We all come from different countries. And we want to highlight our cultural wealth,” says Ilona Kochoy, this Saturday, May 16, at the Abeilles social center in Quimper. Since the start of the year, this 42-year-old Georgian, living in Finistère for sixteen years, has chaired the Russian-speaking multicultural association of Cornouaille.
An association that this English teacher joined at the end of 2018, a few months after the creation of the structure by a handful of mothers, keen to continue speaking the language and introducing Russian and the culture to their young children born in France.
Around forty members
Among these founders, there was notably Marina Jaouen, 44 years old, today treasurer of the association. Born in Moldova, where she spent her early years, she then lived in her native Russia. Before coming to live in France in 2007 with her Breton husband, whom she met in Moscow. At his side, Victorya Ligeour, 46 years old, the secretary, whose story begins in Kaliningrad where she was born. After an initial professional life in Minsk, she set down in Cornwall in 2009 with her husband, a native of Bannalec, whom she met while she was researching the story of Anne of Brittany.
Today, the association welcomes around forty members. Among them, several Cornish people with no links to Eastern countries but eager to discover other traditions.
Russian and French lessons
Asked about the war in Ukraine, the three women briefly confide that “a few families” decided to leave the association by “personal choice” at the start of the conflict. They insist on the fact that their association is “independent” and does not have the role of playing politics. “The goal is to immerse yourself in the culture,” they say.
We want to do even more things for young people
The structure, open to all, offers Russian lessons to children and adults. French courses for Russian speakers who have left their country are also planned this year. The president also wishes to give volunteers the opportunity to prepare for the compulsory civic exam for foreigners wanting to settle in France.
Beyond that, “we want to do even more things for young people,” adds Ilona Kochoy, whose association also organizes cultural events. The next one will take place on June 28: an end-of-year celebration dedicated to songs, dances and gastronomy.
Practical
