Indonesian National Library Launches BIPA Program in St. Petersburg

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia is advancing the implementation of the Indonesian Language Teaching Program for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) in collaboration with the V.V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library in St. Petersburg.

According to a press release obtained by ANTARA, the collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of mutual understanding (MSP) on Wednesday, July 3. The signing ceremony featured E. Aminudin Aziz, the acting head of the National Library, and Chalova Zoya Vasiljevna, the head of the V.V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library.

Aziz highlighted that the signing of the MSP was part of a working visit by the National Library delegation to the Russian Federation aimed at developing international cooperation networks. The National Library plans to collaborate with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Moscow to facilitate various cooperative activities at the V.V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library, including the BIPA program.

In addition to the language teaching program, Aziz mentioned that the collaboration could extend to exhibitions of Indonesian literary works, manuscripts, and other library materials. Svetlana Gorokhova, a librarian at the V.V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library responsible for international cooperation, welcomed these programs and expressed enthusiasm for cultural exchanges between the two nations through collection exhibitions and seminars. She also suggested the possibility of staff exchanges to develop expertise and share knowledge.

The V.V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library, the main public library in St. Petersburg, houses two million books and receives a thousand visitors daily. The National Library delegation also visited the museum library at the St. Petersburg City Government Office, where they were warmly welcomed by the local city government.

Igor V. Bodnarchuk, head of the International Cooperation Section of the City Government of St. Petersburg, praised the initiative and noted that the National Library of Indonesia was the first to initiate such collaboration. He added that St. Petersburg is also working with other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Myanmar.

This collaboration marks a positive step towards strengthening cultural and literary ties between Indonesia and Russia, and it opens up further opportunities for interstate cooperation in these fields.