“A Star Named Kostomarov”: Students of the Department of Russian Philology and World Languages of the Faculty of Philology Discover the Legacy of the Outstanding Scholar of Russian Studies.

On September 16, 2026, the Center for Intercultural Communication and World Languages of the Faculty of Philology at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted a screening of the documentary film “A Star Named Kostomarov”, produced by the “Russkiy Mir” TV and Radio Company. The event was attended by 3rd-year students of the Faculty of Philology—future specialists in the field of Russian language and literature.

The documentary chronicles the life and academic journey of Vitaly Grigorievich Kostomarov, an outstanding philologist, linguist, academician, and one of the most prominent figures in Russian studies, who made a significant contribution to the theory and practice of teaching Russian as a foreign language (RKI). The creation and development of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute holds a special place in the scholar's academic biography. Thanks to the efforts of V.G. Kostomarov, the system of teaching Russian as a foreign language was further advanced, and his scholarly works exerted a substantial influence on the development of modern RKI methodologies.

For the students, watching the film was not only an introduction to the biography of a prominent scientist but also an opportunity to re-evaluate the significance of the Russian language as a language of science, education, and intercultural communication. The personality of V.G. Kostomarov is particularly meaningful for future philology educators. His academic legacy is tied to understanding language as a living phenomenon that interacts closely with culture, society, and history. These ideas remain relevant today amidst the development of modern educational technologies and the expansion of the international space of the Russian language.

A discussion of the film took place after the screening. Students shared their impressions, noted the importance of V.G. Kostomarov's academic and pedagogical legacy, and discussed the role of contemporary philologists in preserving and developing the Russian language. The event was part of the educational outreach of the Center of the Faculty of Philology at Al-Farabi KazNU and a continuation of its activities to popularize the Russian language, culture, and the academic heritage of outstanding scholars in Russian studies.

Director of the Center
S. Begalieva