IV. International Congress of Teachers for Russian Language and Literature, Berlin 1979 - Germany / German Democratic Republic 1979 - 20 Pfennig

IV. International Congress of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature, Berlin 1979 The IVth International Congress of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature in Berlin from 13 to 18 August 1979 gives the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the German Democratic Republic a multicolour Special postage stamp out. The International Association of Russian Language and Literature Teachers (MAPRJAL) (1) decided at its third General Assembly in Warsaw in 1976 to award the IVth International Congress of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature to the GDR. This congress takes place from August 13 to 18, 1979 in Berlin, capital of the GDR. He is under the patronage of the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the SED and Chairman of the State Council of the GDR, Erich Honecker. The theme of the congress is: "Theory and Practice of Teaching in Russian Language and Literature: The Role of the Teacher in the Teaching Process." The MAPRJAL is a social association of teachers and other professionals of the Russian language and literature and has the UNESCO status C (mutual information). It represents the scientific and professional interests of Russians on an international scale. The association was founded in 1967 in Paris by representatives from 17 countries. The GDR was one of the founding members. Today the organization comprises 138 members from 55 countries of all continents. The 10th anniversary of its existence allowed the MAPRJAL to celebrate as an influential and dynamic mass organization that has a reputation and authority throughout the world. There are ordinary, corresponding, individual and honorary members, whereby ordinary and corresponding members are usually collective members, eg. B. national associations and societies of Russian teachers, chairs for Russian language and literature of universities and colleges, schools, colleges, publishers. The 138 members represent thousands of Russian teachers around the world. In addition, MAPRJAL maintains relationships with more than 5,000 correspondents, as well as with various societies, universities, schools and individuals in 85 countries. By organizing international scientific symposia, supporting the publication of textbooks and dictionaries, publishing the journal "Russian Abroad", MAPRJAL meets the worldwide need to learn Russian as one of the most important world languages. By 1977, 38 scientific events were held in 17 countries, including the Russian Olympics. Russian is now taught in schools and universities of over 100 countries. The total number of people learning Russian outside the Soviet Union at present is around 20 million. Taking into account the past few years, it turns out that at least half a billion people have Russian language proficiency at different degrees of control. Here, Russian plays a special role in the circle of other world languages, which is based on the nationality and language policy developed by W. I. Lenin. One of the most important principles of this socialist language policy is the principle of equality of languages, that is, Russian, like certain world languages, especially in the epoch of colonialism, does not push back other languages, but operates on the basis of recognition and respect for each language. The supreme body of MAPRJAL is the triennial General Assembly of its members. It elects the internationally composed executive council (currently 26 countries), which directs the work between the general assemblies. The most representative forum of the Russians is the International Congress, which is also held every three years. The number of participants developed from the first 1969 Congress in Moscow from 522 from 35 countries to nearly 2,000 from around 50 countries at the Third Congress in Warsaw in 1976. The Fourth Congress - and subsequently the Fourth General Assembly - takes place in its 30th anniversary DDR instead. He is first performed in a non-Slavic country. The awarding of the Congress to the GDR testifies to the high esteem of the achievements of GDR-Russian. At the same time there is an obligation to create all conditions for a successful implementation. (1) Also in German common abbreviation of the Russian name of the Association.