Mauritius-Russia ties reinforced through new cultural and heritage projects

Major cultural and heritage projects including plans for an authorised replica of the world’s only known life illustration of the Dodo, a documentary and competitions dedicated to the extinct bird, as well as the establishment of a memorial tomb for Russian sailors who perished while exploring Indian Ocean sea routes in 1857, were announced yesterday at a reception marking Russia Day, hosted by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Mauritius, Mrs Irada Avtandilovna Zeynalova, in Ebene.

The President of the Republic, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool; the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful, were present. Toasts were raised by the dignitaries in honour of the friendship of Russia and Mauritius and their continued relations.

The Attorney General, Mr Gavin Glover, other Ministers, Junior Ministers and members of the Diplomatic Corps, were also in attendance.

A photo exhibition and a cultural event showcasing Russian arts were held on the occasion. The official copy of the famous painting by Ustad Mansur was gifted to Prime Minister by the Ambassador Zeynalova.

In her keynote address, the Russian Ambassador reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between Mauritius and Russia through a clear vision and concrete actions. She highlighted a diverse range of cultural initiatives organised in Mauritius to deepen these bonds. Key highlights include performances by the Moscow Conservatory and the Russian ballet, alongside exhibitions featuring films, lectures and artworks by Russian photographers and painters.

Additionally, she noted several significant donations, such as Tchaikovsky compositions gifted to the Conservatoire François-Mitterrand, copies of the documentary 'The Unknown War' presented to the Museum of Rodrigues and historic cameras donated to the Museum of Photography.

Beyond cultural exchange, the Ambassador emphasised Russia’s ongoing contribution to local youth development through full scholarships for Mauritians to study in Russia.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to Mauritius and other African nations for their position and neutrality pertaining to the challenge of racial purity that Russia is facing. Turning to Mauritius’ fight for sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, Ambassador Zeynalova renewed Russia's support, stating that all nations deserve freedom and dignity.

She also underscored the importance of cooperation in securing a better future for younger generations, stressing that this can be achieved through mutual learning, knowledge-sharing and partnerships aimed at addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security and the fight against drugs.

Finally, she affirmed that Russia stands ready to share its knowledge and experience with its friends, noting that cooperation, economic diversification, and perseverance are crucial in today's vulnerable global environment.

13 June 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation