About the role of MAPRYAL in the development of Spanish Russian studies (2000–2020)

Abstract

The article analyzes the activities of MAPRYAL aimed at the development of Spanish Russian studies. The first part of the article provides a brief description of the genesis of Spanish Russian studies and the key stages of its formation related to geographical, historical and political factors. The second part is devoted to the role of MAPRYAL in the spread of the Russian language in the Spanish-speaking world, in particular, measures to support Russian studies at the University of Granada. The article notes that, in many respects, thanks to close and fruitful cooperation with MAPRYAL, Spanish Russian studies took the leading positions in the world, as evidenced by successfully hosting the XIII MAPRYAL Congress in Granada in 2015. The article analyzes some of the contributions of the University of Granada to Russian studies in the world. An important role in the fate of Russian studies at the University of Granada was played by the creation in 2004 of the research group HUM 827 “Slavistics, Caucasian Studies, Typology of Languages”, which became a collective member of MAPRYAL and actively participated in organizing many events dedicated to the dissemination of the Russian language and literature. Particular attention in the article is paid to the personal contribution to the development of Spanish Russian studies by Lyudmila Verbitskaya — not only as President of MAPRYAL, but also as a person who has passionately loved the Russian language and devoted her life to promoting it in Russia and in the world.