International success of the Brest School of Latin American Studies: recognition in Cuba

Teachers and students of Faculties of Law, History, Faculty of Foreign Languages of Brest State A.S.Pushkin University took part in an international scientific session in Pinar del Rio (Cuba). The event brought together leading researchers in the field of humanitarian cooperation between the Caribbean and Africa.

The discussion vector was set by a report by Lyudmila Mikhailovna Maksimuk, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, and Lyudmila Viktorovna Kharichkova, Associate Professor of the Department of General History and Political Science, who presented 35 years of research experience (1990-2026) in the Latin American region. It is based on the long-term continuity in the study of the Spanish-speaking world, laid back in the 90s of the XX century, and the modern contribution of teachers of the Faculty of History, Candidates of Historical Sciences Lyudmila Kharichkova and Andrei Yurievich Bodak.

The work of the participants of BrSU scientific session was highly appreciated by the Cuba scientific community. The official review of the report by Larisa Mikhailovna Maksimuk and Lyudmila Viktorovna Kharichkova "The Brest School and the South-South dialogue: from Latin American colonial pedagogy to intercultural learning with the participation of Africans (1990-2026)" noted: "This topic represents a valuable experience in pedagogical archeology and design, restoring the experience of the Brest School as a little-studied link in the genealogy of the South- South. The work offers concrete ways for horizontal and decolonized cooperation. This is an indispensable contribution to the rethinking of pedagogical alliances between Latin America and Africa, based on reciprocity and situational historical criticism" (spelling and punctuation are preserved).

The organizers paid special attention to the reports of first and second year students of the History and Law faculties. Despite the fact that all students are at the initial level of learning Spanish, they presented a wide range of interdisciplinary works in Spanish, demonstrating a variety of approaches and topics. Elizaveta Galkovskaya prepared a video presentation at the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial complex, presenting partisan traditions and modern diplomacy. Vladimir Korneychik, with the support of BrSU Media Communication Service, presented a report on the mission and prospects of the young historian in the study of Latin America. Milena Basmanov prepared an analytical presentation on the issues of motivation and the development of "digital bridges" between universities. Alexander Leshko presented an audiovisual project dedicated to Cuba's cultural footprint in Belarus and the development of Caribbean rhythms. Daniil Dubovik analyzed the economic aspect and issues of technological sovereignty within the framework of joint Belarusian-Cuba enterprises. Evgeny Aksenov opened the topic on visual coding and aesthetics of diasporas. Yaroslav Tolstyak identified the role of the Belarusian automotive industry in preserving Cuba's mobile heritage.

Following the session, Brest State A.S.Pushkin University confirmed its readiness to develop horizontal academic cooperation with Cuba universities within the framework of joint teaching and student projects.

Larisa Mikhailovna Maksimuk,
Head of the Department of Foreign Languages