The partnership between YSU and Cadiz University is being strengthened. An Armenian-Spanish auditorium was opened

The cooperation between Yerevan State University and the University of Cadiz in Spain has been ongoing for a long time. First of all, it is aimed at strengthening Armenian-Spanish relations, conducting cross-cultural, cross-linguistic research, and increasing mutual interests among the representatives of the two nations.

The established Armenian-Spanish multidisciplinary center will have two residences. The first residence of the center, the Armenian-Spanish auditorium, was solemnly opened at YSU, and the second residence of the center will be opened at Cadiz University. Moreover, the parties of the initiative aim to further expand the center's geography by creating a university network. The network will spread throughout Eastern Europe and become a center of inter-university cooperation, expanding the boundaries of the spread of Armenian-Spanish culture.

In the center, YSU Hispanologists, in cooperation with colleagues of the University of Cadiz, will jointly develop and implement programs, perform scientific research works, including the study of Armenian-Spanish historical and cultural ties, as well as assist non-linguistic representatives of other fields of science in conducting field research. In the framework of cooperation, lectures will also be organized to exchange experience and support interdisciplinary research. One of the preconditions for cooperation is that appropriate sections will be created for the center on the websites of universities.

At the beginning of the meeting held at the Faculty of European Languages and Communication, Vice-rector for academic affairs of YSU Elina Asriyan, highlighting the cooperation with the University of Cadiz, stated that it will provide new opportunities for both sides and promote the further development of the universities, outlining many cooperative ways.

The head of the Cadiz delegation, Vice-rector for internationalization of the university, Rafael Castañeda, emphasizing the importance of Armenian-Spanish relations, expressed readiness to further develop the existing ties by implementing joint ideas and projects.

Referring to the importance of opening the center, R. Castañeda mentioned, "This is a truly historic and memorable moment for both universities, as the creation of this center opens the way to innovative initiatives. Perhaps it would be more traditional if the Armenian language and Armenian culture center was opened in Spain, and the Spanish language and Spanish culture center in Armenia, but it was decided that one Armenian-Spanish center with two residences should be created. In other words, the work of the joint center will coordinate the two universities, providing each other with the necessary human and material resources, as well as their networks of national and international partners”.

In his speech, the head of the delegation also mentioned the names of famous Armenian representatives of technology, science, art, and other fields, who played a great role in the progress of world science and art.

"All that will also be within the scope of the center's research, so the Armenian-Spanish center will not be limited only to the spread of the Spanish and Armenian languages and Armenian and Spanish cultures. It also aims to spread the scientific and academic success of our countries, building this new united Armenian-Spanish world with united forces," said the vice-rector of the university.

In his speech, R. Castañeda also highlighted the role of the Chair of Romance Philology in the creation of this project, considering it the center and driving force of the formation of Armenian-Spanish studies.

Gevorg Barseghyan, dean of the Faculty of European Languages and Communication of YSU, emphasizing the role of the audience, stated that the opening of the latter testifies to the growing interest in the Spanish language in Armenia.

"This is not only a basis for strengthening educational and cultural ties, but also for implementing new mobility programs for professors and students," emphasized G. Barseghyan.

In a conversation with us, Hasmik Baghdasaryan, the head of the Chair of Romance Philology of the Faculty of European Languages and Communication of YSU, who invested a lot of effort in opening this center, mentioned that the University of Cadiz is the only Spanish university that has a special department for projects with Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In addition, the university has extensive experience in implementing international programs. According to her, this type of international cooperation is one of the imperatives of the time to face new educational challenges.

"This cooperation is aimed at promoting the improvement of the programs implemented in the Chair of Romanic Philology and the scientific research works carried out in the chair," said the head of the chair, referring to the advantages of the newly opened auditorium.

Christina Konesa, charge d'affaires of the Spanish Embassy in Armenia, was present at the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Spanish audience, her speech touched on the Armenian-Spanish relations, mentioning significant historical episodes and various intercultural realities.

At the opening ceremony of the auditorium, the fourth-year students of the Spanish department of the Chair of Romance Philology gave a beautiful and memorable speech, presenting the main historical and cultural symbols of Cadiz uniquely.

It is noteworthy that lectures were given by the head of the Language Policy Department of the University of Cádiz, Francisco Javier de Cos (topic: "What the Language Academy says and what the speaker of the language does: discrepancies between norms and implementation") and the representative of the University Center for Cooperation with Eastern Europe and Central Asia Andres Santana (topic: "The profession of translator and interpreter in Spain").

The topics of the lectures were chosen taking into account the areas of mutual interest.

Let us remind you that last year the famous Spanish writer, architect, and urban planner Gonzalo H. Guarch donated the bronze sculpture of Don Quixote by the famous French artist Lucien Charles Edouard Alio to Yerevan State University (1877-1956). Next to the sculpture G. Guarch sent YSU rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan a letter of appreciation, in which the excellence of Spanish language teaching at YSU and the interrelations of Armenian-Spanish cultural and national thinking were emphasized. The letter was translated from Spanish to Armenian by a doctoral student of Cadiz University and a YSU graduate Anahit Margaryan. The latter, continuing her studies at the University of Cadiz in Spain, has become a unique link between the two universities.

Details can be found in the video.