Russian Cultural Centre Trust
Centre of Slavonic Culture & Education
For immediate release
Christchurch Red Zone Resident receives award from Russian President
Mayor recognises Anna Filippochkina’s achievement 30 November
Anna Filippochkina, a resident of Christchurch’s earthquake devastated Red Zone, has been awarded the prestigious
Pushkin Medal at a special ceremony in Russia.
The Russian government awards the medal to just 10 people a year. The award is for achievements in the fields of
culture, education and health sciences, as well as contributions to the study and preservation of the Russian language
and culture.
Mrs Filippochkina received this award from the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev on 4 November in the Russian city of
Nizhny Novgorod.
“I never expected that my modest contribution to preserve the Russian language and culture in New Zealand would be so
greatly appreciated,” Mrs Filippochkina said.
“The 4th of November wasn’t just a special day for me. It is also National Unity Day in Russia, which brings together
millions of people to celebrate.”
In recognition of her achievement, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker will meet with Mrs Filippochkina at the Christchurch
City Council Civic Building on Wednesday 30 November, 2pm.
Mrs Filippochkina said that her success was made possible through the efforts of many people of different nationalities
who at various times had worked at the Russian Cultural Centre.
“It would have been impossible without the continued support of Christchurch City Council, Lottery Trusts, COGS,
Creative Communities and the many other organisations and individuals who have helped our Centre to grow.
“It helps us all, for whom this country has become a second home, to live a full life in New Zealand, at the same time
having the opportunity to save and share our values and culture with others.”
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Anna Filippochkina
Mrs Filippochkina is the founder and coordinator of the Russian Cultural Centre Trust which provides educational and
social programmes for Russian and Slavonic peoples in Christchurch.
Since her arrival in Christchurch in 1998, Russian born and long time Kiev (Ukraine) resident, Mrs Filippochkina has
organised a Saturday Russian language school for the children of migrants, and has added dance, drama and other
activities to enable young people to celebrate their cultural heritage. Other programmes include English classes for
adult learners, health and social programmes for older migrants, and a variety of musical and other cultural events for
the wider public.
In 2000, her efforts to provide support to the community were formalised with the establishment of the Russian Cultural
Centre Trust of Christchurch. In 2009 she received a Christchurch City Council Civic Award for outstanding service to
the migrant community.
Mrs Filippochkina represented New Zealand at the Conferences of Russian Compatriots from Asian-Pacific Countries in New
Delhi (September 2010), and Canberra (June 2011). As a member of the Community Languages Association of New Zealand
(CLANZ), she was this country’s representative at the International Community Languages and ESOL (CLESOL) Conference in
Dunedin in October 2010.
This year she represented New Zealand at the World Thematic Conference of Compatriots on the Status of Russian Language
in Foreign Countries, held in Moscow (17-18 October). She has also initiated a registration process for a nationwide New
Zealand Council of Russian Associations.
Following last year’s September 4 earthquake, she immediately set up programmes of support for Russian residents, many
of whom were traumatised by the event.
This year, in spite of dealing with devastation to her home and unable to enter the Trust’s offices in Christchurch
Community House, deemed unsafe after February and recently demolished, she has continued to provide support and
educational programmes to the community.
ENDS