The Center for Hindi Language and Indian Literature was established in 2007 and operates in close cooperation with the Embassy of India in Ukraine and the Ukraine-India Society.
The primary objective of this center is to promote the Hindi language and Indian literature in Ukraine. It also focuses on organizing events related to the educational and methodological work of Indology instructors, as well as facilitating meetings, symposia, conferences, summer schools, and other relevant activities.
Since 2011, the center has organized an annual inter-university Hindi language Olympiad, with winners receiving financial prizes from the Embassy of India in Ukraine. Outstanding students are offered the opportunity to study for one academic year at the Central Institute of Hindi Language (India), funded by the Indian government. Furthermore, they can pursue further education in India concurrently completing their Master’s studies at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology.
The center regularly hosts literary and musical events dedicated to Indian writers and literary scholars, as well as meetings with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Ukraine. A well-established tradition among Indologists is the annual celebration of International Hindi Day in September.
Besides academic events, the center also organises Indian festivals within the Institute, including Holi – the festival of spring and vibrant colors (in March), Diwali – the principal Indian festival of lights (in October), and Baisakhi – the New Year celebration (in April).
With the center’s support, students in Hindi language programs undertake internships at the Central Institute of Hindi Language in Delhi and Agra (India), participate in conferences, and publish articles in Indian online journals. During summer holidays, the center organises trips to India for students.
The center is home to the musical group “Prelesta” (led by Y. Botvinkin), which uniquely blends Ukrainian folklore with Indian meditative traditions in its performances. With the support of the center, a classical Indian dance and theater studio operates at the University.
The Center is headed by Yu. Botvinkin, PhD in History.
