Since 2015 Krasnodar has begun to develop inter-municipal relations with the French city of Nancy with the support of the German sister-city. As a result, a sister-cities agreement was signed between the cities and bilateral projects in the field of culture and youth policy were implemented. The Association "East-West-Contact" headed by Svetlana Maire plays an important role in their implementation from the French.
Below is a translation of an article from the French newspaper of Nancy about Svetlana Maire and her activities.
The restrained nature of Svetlana Maire disappears as soon as you start talking to her about the numerous projects that she leads with the Association "East-West-Contact", of which she is the president. Since coming in Nancy 18 years ago from the Russian city of Kemerovo, she has been constantly engaged in various cultural, pedagogical, tourist projects between France and Russia, as well as other countries. "Nationalities are not important for me. What interests me is the exchange, our Association puts the spirit of cosmopolitan culture first, " she emphasizes.
After defending her PhD thesis at the University of Nancy, Svetlana Maire remained living in the city to which she became attached. She also wants to discover this city to the whole world, in particular, to Russian speakers. "I have always worked in associations; after defending my thesis and the birth of my second child, I began to get bored very quickly!" she smiles. She participates in the organization of "Europe Day", language internships, exhibitions and performances, the implementation of reports "Romantic Nancy" on the occasion of Cultural Heritage Days – all of this is for introducing Russia to Nancy. The first phase: an exhibition of photographs taken by young people, which takes place in Nancy, Krasnodar and Karlsruhe. A new challenge that she is happy to complete. She gives her enthusiasm and her energy for the benefit of friendship between peoples that knows no borders.