In the Year of Teachers and Mentors, a solemn event on the occasion of the Day of Russian Press with the participation of the Governor of Saratov Region was held at the Institute of Philology and Journalism, SSU. Saratov University is the alma mater of most journalists in the region. It is here that classical humanities education is given and future journalists are trained.

The guests were met at the university by Acting Rector Aleksei Koronovskii, Scientific Supervisor of the Institute of Philology and Journalism, Chair of the Department of General Literary Studies and Journalism Valerii Prozorov, Head of Priority Projects and Programmes Elena Yelina, and Director of the Institute of Philology and Journalism Lyudmila Borisova.

Before the official part, everyone could see the stand dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Saratov regional branch of the Russian Union of Journalists. The exhibition featured the names, photographs, and biographies of the people who have left a mark in the history of regional journalism. These are honoured professors of SSU, heads of the Saratov regional branch of the Russian Union of Journalists, and owners of All-Russian awards.

The guests were interested in a presentation about the media projects of Saratov University. Its participants learned about the work of the web-site sgu.ru and its news feed, about special projects of the university media, the Saratov University newspaper, the Sweet Milk magazine, the I Like It TV project, the Research City online general audiences magazine, and how the SSU news is covered in social networks, the student podcasts, regional, federal, and world media.

The exhibition was accompanied by a concert of the Four Gentlemen string quartet of the Schnittke Saratov Regional Philharmonic led by Roman Kontrich.

In Room 208, Bldg. 10, numerous guests were welcomed by the hosts – Arts Director of the Student Club, SSU, Mikhail Vinogradov and a student of the Institute of Philology and Journalism Victoria Amiraslanova.

The Governor of Saratov Region Roman Busargin, noted the important role of journalists in the life of society and congratulated them on the holiday. ‘Last year, we proved that in our region there are traditionally strong media, talented, bright journalists with a responsible civic position. Your publications and stories are focused on objectivity, feedback from the population, and regional authorities. All of you are professionals of the highest level. Young people look up to you. It means that the continuity and high standards of the Saratov journalism school are preserved.’

Honuored Scientist of Russia, Professor Valerii Prozorov addressed the veterans of journalism, as well as the younger generation, noting that journalism is an unusually universal profession. Addressing the Governor, Valerii Prozorov spoke about the Word Power competition for high school pupils. ‘Future journalists come to our university from year to year. We organize career guidance for enrollees: for 10 years the Institute of Philology and Journalism has been holding the Word Power competition. We believe that it needs to be significantly updated and given a new impetus. We would like to ask the Governor to take our competition under his patronage; it is very important for all of us.’ In response, Roman Busargin agreed to support Prozorov’s initiative.

Minister of Information and Mass Communication Alexander Kolokolov congratulated not only journalists, but also representatives of all related professions. ‘I would like to thank you a lot for telling the audience not only significant dates, but also paying great attention to vital projects that are implemented by the governor and the government. After all, each of these projects is aimed at improving the life of every resident of the region,’ he marked.

The festival summed up the results of the Year of Folk Art and Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia, awarded journalists who introduced the audience to the tourist attraction, traditions, peculiarities, and the local charm of the multinational Saratov Region. Valerii Prozorov presented commemorative awards to the winners of the annual regional competition for the media – With a Saratov Accent.

Alexander Kolokolov awarded the winners of the Peter Routes regional journalistic contest, which was held in honour of the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I.

SSU students-journalists were also awarded.

Summing up the results of the year, the participants could not ignore the Special Military Operation. The presenters noted that there were also media sphere workers among the volunteers, including a printer of the Volga-Media printing house Dennis Tarasov. Lilia Matveeva, an SSU graduate, a presenter and chief editor of the shows of the Saratov State TV and Radio Company, also became a military reporter last year. She repeatedly visited the Saratov soldiers in the SPO area, gave them letters with words of support and parcels from relatives and friends. From business trips, the journalist brought unique material to Saratov for special reports.

‘When we were heading to Donbass for the first time, we did not tell anyone about it. People asked why we needed those trips. But we – both the military at the front and the journalists – say, ‘No one but us’. It is not obligatory, no one at work forces us or asks us to do it, we feel an inner need for it. Today, the contribution of every citizen to victory is important. The military servicemen feel our support, they are grateful to us for believing in them. We are ready to provide them with any help: the more support is provided, the sooner our victory will come. There is always news waiting at the front. It is important for them to know that we are with them, we believe in them, support, and wait for them,’ the journalist shared her with everyone.

A part of the event was dedicated to the Year of Teachers and Mentors. The winner of the All-Russian competition – The 2022 Pedagogical Debut – in the Teacher-Mentor nomination was invited to mark the opening of the thematic year, an English teacher of Gymnasium No. 7 Evgeniya Yedinak. She is a graduate of Saratov State Pedagogical Institute (today – SSU). At the competition, she presented a public presentation on how to help a young teacher prevent professional burnout. The teacher congratulated everyone on the holiday and thanked the journalists for their daily work.

After talking to journalists, the Governor supported some their proposals. All participants of the meeting received memorable gifts. Maria Polutsygan, a student of the Institute of Philology and Journalism, completed the celebration by singing the Free Bird song to the audience.