A Discussion with Elizaveta Sergeevna Obolenskaya, Director, Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Russian School, Paris, France

June 27, 2012

Background: As part of the Education and Global Social Justice Project, in June 2012 undergraduate student Masha Goncharova interviewed Elizaveta Sergeevna Obolenskaya, the director of the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Russian School in Paris, France. In this interview Obolenskaya discusses how the school has accepted students regardless of financial ability, the sense of belonging the school creates among Franco-Russian students, and the role of the cathedral in helping émigrés retain a sense of shared Russian identity.

How did you come to be director of this school?

I have been director for 10 years, and before that I was a teacher. I need to say that the public has changed. At first we had many children from the first White wave, and now the kids are becoming more and more new Russian immigrants from former [Soviet] satellite states.

When did you notice these changes?

Well, actually just about 10 years ago. When our children went to this school, it was more of a challenge because they were losing their language as representatives of the third and fourth generations. These children who come now from Russia of course speak Russian well.

What role do you think education has had for the children of the White immigration?

I think it is actually specifically this school that gives them a lot. Here they come to know the history of their own homeland, and of course with the Law of God class, which is the staple of their [Russian] Orthodox faith. Many of them sometimes pretend that they are too cool for this Russian stuff and want to hang out with their French friends who are not studying Russian every Wednesday. But I would argue that eventually they truly do come to understand that this community is after all something incredible.

Is this the only school that teaches the Law of God in Russian?

I think the one in the Moscow Embassy also teaches it. The ACER group [Russian Students Christian Organization, Action Chrétienne des Etudiants Russess] used to have a school that taught it as well. We are really unique in the sense of the Law of God as a class that has been taught since the start here, but this is not all. The history we teach is very distinct here, because the kids from their families have a completely different perspective on history in comparison to what they learn here.

The first wave of émigrés of course lost everything materially as well. Do you offer scholarships for students who cannot afford to come here?

Well, for some it is just free. Before, actually, even though most parents had serious financial difficulties, they would never dare ask for help. This was Russian school, and they respected and supported it to that degree. For the White immigration the Russian school was something very, very, very important because it transmitted Russian culture to their children and grandchildren. Just look at the generations—we are, what, in the fourth generation? And many of the children still speak Russian. Maybe not very well, but some even want to return to Russia to work there! This school saved their Russian language. But, I find that it is now émigrés from Russia or Ukraine or Georgia or Belarus [who] ask for help because they don't want to pay for school. I find that with the current immigrants, their children have the language better, but also lose it more quickly. They come here and right away they want to become French. Our White émigré group did not have this.

If students come, we accept all no matter what their financial status. If they cannot pay—especially the newly arrived from Soviet satellite states who have nothing—of course we accept them. They need to go to school after all. Materially we of course cannot help them because we are ourselves poor enough. But it would be impossible to reject a student! Recently, a small Georgian girl came here. The parents wanted her to come here so badly. They don't yet have housing here yet or anything. They ask for discounts or waivers. I work with these a lot. There are many children here in that sort of situations. There are many people here who cannot find work. In this particular school there are many people from Moldova like this.

What is unique about this Russian school at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral?

At least we know that here, we received a Russian education. You can always go visit Russia and learn the language, but here in this school we intimately approached the history, the literature, and the law of God—that is only at this school.

Are there any projects or initiatives for after-school activities?

We have chess and weaving. Irina Anatoleevna Shogubatovna and Natalya Nikitichna Kolonodistryna lead the chess group. They have been teachers here for a long time. There are many kids, and they love it. Both activities are only once a week. We spend a lot of time after school preparing the end-of-the-year play.

Are they in Russian?

Yes.

How many students and classes are there in this school?

We have around 80 students. In terms of classes…it's difficult to say. We have very many small children and not as many in their teenage years, because it becomes hard to go to Russian school with their after-school French activities. We have about 10 or 11 classes. We meet every Wednesday: the smaller kids from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the older ones from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

What is happening today?

Today is the last day of school when the children receive their grades, their diplomas, and presents. Some of the classes will present poems. Also the priests, who teach here, are giving away books of prayers in Russian and in French.

Do the children celebrate any other holidays here?

Oh of course, all of the important ones, especially Christmas, Easter.

How is this church connected to the White émigré culture in Paris?

Why did they choose to settle here in Paris? It was all because here, there was this cathedral. The church reunited everyone. Here they met up; here they became someone again.

How do you think the kids like it here? What attracts them to it here?

To my opinion, the kids really do love it here. It attracts them because first of all it is not as stressful as French school. We learn, but it is not as intensive. And after all, it is a relief for them to meet others who speak Russian, who are like them, and who are interested in Russian culture. In French school they are sitting alone among French students thinking, “Why do I speak Russian?” We all go through this. Here at the Russian school, it is pleasant to meet each other. How many generations are there here who sat next to each other at these school desks and, to this day, still meet and communicate?

Why do you think the connection is so strong?

The Orthodoxy and culture connect us. We, we are not French. Even if by the documents we are French, something very important remains of our Russian heritage that makes us not fully identify with our adopted French culture.

Do you think they think about moving back to Russia?

Yes, some do think about moving back. Others have lived here too long to return and start a new life once again. Among those who I know, they travel there and spend time there, but to live there—no. It depends on whom.

How does education and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral save or nurture your group of émigrés?

The White Russians? Oh, it was extremely difficult for them. They worked in factories or as taxi drivers. They lost absolutely everything! But, you know, when the workday was over, they would put on their old uniforms or their nicest piece of clothing and go to this church. They tried to forget their hardships and again become their old selves. They were very strong going through this move. After all, the church was very, very special to them. They came back to their Russia when they came here. They got together, they could remember, they created imaginary plans to return. They were in a bad situation, though, in reality; they had to run from their home.

What is the most special part of directing this school?

The children, of course. They are so small and genuine, especially when they say the poems—you will see how they memorize the poems and present them. They really love it—to learn these poems, and they try so hard. And take a look at the DVD. It is amateur theater, of course; they were not pretending to be professionals. But how well they tried to understand what it was, the immigration, and how they learned their lines! It is so touching. And well, this year, that truly moved me.

Opens in a new window