By Adebola Adegoke
Russia, the world’s largest country by area, boasts an array of landscapes, cultures, and historical treasures.
Russia is a country that embraces both its rich traditions and the modern world. Its cities are vibrant centres of innovation and culture.
Moscow, the capital city, with its stunning Kremlin and Red Square, is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends history with contemporary life.
The Kremlin is Russia’s political centre and a symbol of its historical power. Inside, visitors can see beautiful cathedrals with detailed frescoes and the Armory Chamber, which holds a great collection of Russian treasures and artefacts.
Red Square, next to the Kremlin, is another famous landmark, with the colourful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, a highlight of Russian architecture.
In recent years, Russia has faced significant challenges, including geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions by the western community. However, the country has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Innovations in technology, infrastructure, diversification of oil and non-oil exports have helped sustain economic stability, and the government’s emphasis on self-reliance has fostered a sense of national pride.
Moscow, in particular, has emerged as a symbol of this resilience. The city’s efficient public transportation system, including its extensive metro network and electric scooters continue to be a model for urban planning.
In a world where media narratives often shape our perceptions of distant places, a recent training programme in Russia has offered journalists a fresh, first-hand perspective.
Representatives from the largest media houses in 21 countries, including those in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, convened in Moscow for the Sputnik Pro New Generation Programme.
This initiative was organised by the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).
It ran from June 23 to June 28 and featured a series of workshops led by leading Sputnik media experts.
The focus was on the future of journalism, but the experience offered much more, changing the participants’ views on Russia.
Journalists who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews shared their reflections on the programme and their impressions of Russia.
They highlighted the safety of Moscow, the resilience of the country amidst sanctions, and the rich cultural tapestry that defines the nation.
South African journalist, Nicola Daniels, expressed admiration for Russia’s rich history and culture, as well as the vibrant and bustling city of Moscow and its transportation system.
She said that coming to Russia had provided her with a new perspective on how Russia is portrayed on the world stage.
“It was interesting to learn their perspective about how they (Russia) are presented on the world stage.
“It made us think about what media we consume, where it’s coming from, and how it influences the way we think about the world, different countries, and especially Russia and its special military operations in Ukraine.
“Also learning about the future of journalism, how people consume the news, what platforms, applications and websites they use and how these compare to the Russian context,” she said.
Daniels highlighted the valuable opportunity to meet and interact with journalists from diverse backgrounds and learning about the political situations in their countries.
This, she noted, had given her a much broader perspective on issues.
Eba Kandovazu, with the Namibia Press Agency, described the people as kind and open, contrary to her previous perception.
She, however, did face some challenges due to language barrier.
“I’ve learned, experienced and explored the streets of Moscow and its subway. We don’t have a subway in Namibia, so, it was interesting to see how the transportation system makes commuting easier for people.
“The people are very kind, welcoming and open. The only challenge I had was the language barrier because most of them don’t speak English as an official language.
But otherwise, it was an amazing experience,” she said.
On the training programme, Kandovazu said she was eager to share the knowledge and experiences she gained from the training programme with her colleagues back home.
“We had various experienced professionals discuss topics such as the future of journalism, fact checking, emerging technologies, AI and how it’s impacting journalism and video production.
“I can’t wait to utilise the experience and transfer some of the things I’ve learned to my colleagues so they can tap into the knowledge I have acquired,” the Namibian journalist said.
While the language barrier presented some initial challenges, Ugandian journalist, John Musenze, revealed that he had prepared for this by downloading a translation app, which allowed him to engage in basic interactions.
Beyond the cultural experience, Musenze said he was impressed by Russia’s natural beauty, describing the country as being “green” with an abundance of trees, which he said was beneficial for a healthy environment.
“You always find people that are willing to help you. I also admire their love for their language.
“When in Russia, it is sometimes hard to find someone who can speak English because they value their language.
“It has also made me learn new Russian words from little interactions.
“Asides the knowledge gained, coming to Russia was an overall learning experience for me,” he said. (NANFeatures)
